Scraper assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a novel scraper assembly having a plurality of interchangeable scraper heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The scraper assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely spring bristles, coiled springs, chainmail abraders and wire cloth abraders capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. Additionally, the invention may also be useful for shaping, adding texture to, stripping materials from or otherwise preparing a surface, including wood, metal or ceramic surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/369,424 on filed Jul. 30, 2010;61/369,449 filed on Jul. 30, 2010 and 61/369,487 filed on Jul. 30, 3010;the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of scrapers, particularlyscraper assemblies useful for cleaning.

2. Description of the Related Technology

The adequate sterilization of grate cooking surfaces, such as grills andovens, is essential to proper food preparation and maintaining one'shealth and well-being. Ideally, cooking surfaces should be regularlycleaned before and after usage to remove any food particles or debristhat may contaminate the cooking surface and propagate bacteria. Regularcleaning can also prolong the lifespan of cooking surfaces and kitchenappliances.

Conventional brushes that have wire or plastic bristles have fewabrasive surfaces, lack durability, and are difficult to clean.Typically, the only abrasive surfaces of these brushes are the bristlestips, which lack resilience and quickly become permanently deformed withrepeated use. The inelastic properties of the bristles render themsubject to fracture and a high failure rate. Additionally, conventionalbrushes have a number of crevices and tightly packed bristles that aredifficult to clean. Food particles and bacteria accumulate in thesecrevices and between bristles, which is unsanitary and contributes tobrush degradation. Furthermore, conventional bristle brushes areineffective in removing substances from grate cooking surfaces and tendto scratch these delicate surfaces in the course of cleaning.

In view of the deficiencies, there is a need to develop a more effectivedevice for cleaning a grate cooking surface. In particular, there is aneed to develop a scraper having an improved abrasive surface toefficiently and effectively clean a grate cooking surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an improved scraper and methodfor using the scraper to abrade a surface. In a first aspect, theinvention is directed to a scraper for use in abrading a surfaceincluding a handle attached to a scraper head. The scraper head haschainmail abrader mounted to a frame. The chainmail abrader includes achainmail body constructed from a plurality of interlinked rings and anelastic member positioned adjacent to the chainmail body such that theelastic member is capable of applying pressure against the chainmailbody enabling the chainmail body to resiliently conform to the contoursof the surface.

In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a scraper for use inabrading a surface including a handle attached to a scraper head. Thescraper head has a chainmail abrader mounted to the frame. The chainmailabrader includes a chainmail body constructed from a plurality ofinterlinked rings and a back pressure means positioned adjacent to thechainmail body such that the back pressure means is capable of applyingpressure against the chainmail body enabling the chainmail body toresiliently conform to the contours of the surface.

In a third aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus including awire cloth constructed from wire ropes that are knitted or woventogether, wherein the wire ropes are constructed from one or morestrands and wherein each strand is constructed from two or more wires.

In a fourth aspect, the invention is directed to a scraper for use inabrading a surface including a handle and a scraper head. The scraperhead as has a wire cloth abrader mounted to a frame. The wire clothabrader includes a wire cloth body constructed from wire ropes that areknitted or woven together, wherein the wire ropes are constructed fromone or more strands and wherein each strand is constructed from two ormore wires and a backpressure means positioned adjacent to the wirecloth body, wherein the back pressure means is capable of applyingpressure against the wire cloth body enabling the wire cloth body toresiliently conform to the contours of the surface.

In a fifth aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for use inabrading a surface including a handle and a scraper head. The scraperhead as has a frame attached to a coiled spring constructed from wirerope and adapted to abrade a surface. The wire rope used to constructthe coiled spring includes one or more strands and wherein each strandis constructed from one or more wires.

In a sixth aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for use inabrading a surface including a handle and a scraper head. The scraperhead as has a frame attached to a bristle constructed from wire rope.The wire rope used to construct the bristle comprises one or morestrands, wherein each strand comprises two or more wires.

In a seventh aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for usein abrading a surface including a handle and a scraper head. The scraperhead as has a frame attached to a coiled spring and a bristle. Thecoiled spring and the bristle are each constructed from wire rope, whichis constructed from one or more strands, wherein each strand comprisestwo or more wires.

In an eighth aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus includinga coiled spring constructed from wire rope, wherein the wire rope isconstructed from one or more strands and wherein at least one of thestrands is constructed from nineteen or more wires. The coiled springhas a spring constant of about 15 N/m to about 90 N/m.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) is an exploded view of a scraper assembly embodiment showinga housing, modular frame and plurality of spring abraders.

FIG. 1( b) is a perspective view of the scraper head of FIG. 1( a).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly embodiment having anopen housing.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another scraper assembly embodiment having anopen housing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly embodiment having aplow shield.

FIG. 5( a) is an exploded view of a scraper assembly showing a modularframe and spring bristles in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5( b) is a side view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 5( a).

FIG. 5( c) is a perspective view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 5( a).

FIG. 5( d) is a bottom view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 5( a).

FIG. 5( e) is a cross-section of a portion of the scraper assembly ofFIG. 5( a).

FIG. 5( f) is a close-up of the spring bristle of FIG. 5( e).

FIG. 5( g) is an exploded view of the spring bristle of FIG. 5( f).

FIG. 5( h) is a bottom view of the spring bristle of FIG. 5( f).

FIG. 6( a) is a perspective side view and cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a spring bristle suspension mechanism constructed fromwire rope.

FIG. 6( b) is a perspective side view and cross-sectional view ofanother embodiment of a spring bristle suspension mechanism constructedfrom wire rope.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another spring bristle embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of two different spring bristle embodiments.

FIG. 9( a) is a cross-section of the sheath of FIG. 9( b).

FIG. 9( b) is a perspective view of a spring bristle sheath.

FIG. 10( a) is a perspective rear view of another spring bristle sheath.

FIG. 10( b) is a perspective view of the sheath of FIG. 10( a).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spring tip embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another spring bristle embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a wire rope the wires of which arebraided together in a woven configuration.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a wire rope the wires of which arearranged in a coiled configuration.

FIG. 15( a) is a cross-section of a wire rope composed of seven strandsthat are each composed of seven wires, wherein both the strands andwires are arranged in a hexagonal pattern around a central strand coreand central wire strand core.

FIG. 15( b) is a cross-section view of a wire rope composed of onestrand formed from seven wires that are arranged in a hexagonal coiledpattern around a central wire.

FIG. 15( c) is a cross-section view of a wire rope composed of onestrand formed from nineteen wires that are arranged in a coiled patternaround a central wire.

FIG. 16( a) is schematic diagram showing the side of a wire rope bristlemounted on a modular frame component of the scraper assembly.

FIG. 16( b) is a bottom view of the wire rope bristles of FIG. 16( a).

FIG. 16( c) is a perspective view showing the sealed distal ends of thewire rope bristles of FIG. 16( a).

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of straight wire rope bristles havingsealed ends that are mounted to a surface of the scraper assembly atvarious angles.

FIG. 18( a) is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a wire ropebristle mounted to a modular frame component of the scraper assembly byits distal and proximal ends.

FIG. 18( b) is a bottom view of the wire rope bristles of FIG. 18( a).

FIG. 18( c) is a perspective of the wire rope bristles of FIG. 18( a).

FIG. 19( a) is a perspective view of a wire rope bristle having a loopend.

FIG. 19( b) is a close up side view of the loop end of FIG. 19( a).

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another wire rope bristle having a loopend.

FIG. 21( a) is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a looped endwire rope bristle.

FIG. 21( b) is a bottom view of the wire rope bristles of FIG. 21( a).

FIG. 22( a) is a side view of a scraper assembly comprising a handle,scraper head and coiled springs in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22( b) is a perspective elevated front view of FIG. 22( a).

FIG. 22( c) is a bottom view of FIG. 22( a).

FIG. 22( d) is a front view of FIG. 22( a).

FIG. 22( e) is a side view of the coiled springs of FIG. 22( a).

FIG. 22( f) is a cross-sectional view of the suspension spring of FIG.22( a).

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of two coiled springs in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a coiled spring adjustment mechanism in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25( a) is a top view of one suspension spring embodiment.

FIG. 25( b) is a front view of the suspension spring of FIG. 26( a).

FIG. 25( c) is a side view of the suspension spring of FIG. 26( a).

FIG. 26( a) is a schematic diagram showing a wire rope coiled springbuckling under a compressive force.

FIG. 26( b) is a schematic diagram showing a wire rope coiled springconforming to the shape of a multiplaner surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 26( c) is a schematic diagram showing a wire rope coiled spring intension.

FIG. 26( d) is a schematic diagram showing a wire rope coiled springwhen bent.

FIG. 27( a) is a schematic diagram showing a support structure attachedto an upper surface of a wire rope coiled spring.

FIG. 27( b) is a bottom view of the support structure and wire ropecoiled spring of FIG. 27( a).

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a wire rope coiled spring wherein thesupport member is a removable clip.

FIG. 29( a) is a perspective bottom view of a wire rope coiled springcoupled to another support structure.

FIG. 29( b) is a perspective side view of the wire rope coiled springand support structure of FIG. 29( a).

FIG. 29( c) is a perspective side view of the wire rope coiled springcoupled to a planar mounting frame of the support structure of FIG. 29(a).

FIG. 29( d) is a perspective top view of the wire rope coiled spring andsupport structure of FIG. 29( a) showing the rigid backing of thesupport structure in a closed position.

FIG. 29( e) is a perspective top view of the wire rope coiled springpositioned within the planar mounting frame of FIG. 29( a) with rigidbacking in an open position.

FIG. 29( f) is a perspective top view of the wire rope coiled spring andsupport structure of FIG. 29( a) coupled to a positioning frame.

FIG. 30( a) is a side view of a scraper assembly comprising a handle,scraper head and leaf spring configured flat spring abraders inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30( b) is a perspective view of FIG. 30( a).

FIG. 30( c) is a bottom view of FIG. 30( a).

FIG. 30( d) is a front view of FIG. 30( a).

FIG. 30( e) is a close-up of the flat spring of FIG. 30( a).

FIG. 30( f) is a cross-section of the flat spring of FIG. 30( a).

FIG. 31( a) is a side view of one embodiment of a chainmail abraderattached to a modular frame component.

FIG. 31( b) is a perspective bottom view of a portion of the chainmailabrader of FIG. 31( a).

FIG. 32( a) is a side view of another exemplary chainmail abraderattached to a modular frame component.

FIG. 32( b) is a perspective bottom view of a portion the chainmailabrader of FIG. 32( a).

FIG. 33( a) is a schematic diagram showing a means for mounting thechainmail abrader to a modular frame component and a stapling means forbending the retaining pins of a modular frame component to retain thechainmail body over a cantilever type flat spring back pressure means.

FIG. 33( b) is a schematic diagram showing the chainmail body of FIG.33( a) hooked onto and locked by the pins of a modular frame component.

FIG. 33( c) illustrates the assembly of a flat spring base relative tothe modular frame component using the mounting means of FIG. 33( a).

FIG. 33( d) is a perspective top view of the assembled mounting means ofFIG. 33( a).

FIG. 33( e) is a perspective bottom view of the assembled mounting meansof FIG. 33( a).

FIG. 34( a) is a schematic diagram showing a scraper head frame and anassembly for retaining a chainmail body between a cantilever type flatspring back pressure means and a positioning frame.

FIG. 34( b) is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 34( a).

FIG. 34( c) is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 34( a).

FIG. 35( a) is a schematic diagram showing a scraper head frame andanother assembly for retaining a chainmail body between a back pressuremeans and a positioning frame.

FIG. 35( b) shows the assembly of FIG. 35( a) once the plastic frame iswelded to the chainmail body.

FIG. 35( c) shows the assembly of FIG. 35( a) once the plastic framewelded chainmail body is coupled to the positioning frame.

FIG. 35( d) shows the assembly of FIG. 35( a) once the back pressuremeans is positioned against the chainmail body and positioning frame.

FIG. 35( e) shows the assembly of FIG. 35( a), wherein the chainmailabrader is clamped between the positioning frame and a mounting surfaceof the scraper assembly.

FIG. 35( f) shows the same assembly as illustrated in FIGS. 35(a)-35(f), with the exception that the backing system is a plurality ofsteel balls.

FIG. 36 is a top view of a flexible wire cloth body showing a wire ropeweave pattern.

FIG. 37 is a top view of a flexible wire cloth body showing a wire ropeknit pattern.

FIG. 38( a) is a side view of one wire cloth abrader embodiment attachedto a modular frame component.

FIG. 38( b) is a bottom view of a portion of the wire cloth abrader ofFIG. 38( a).

FIG. 39( a) is a side view of another wire cloth abrader embodimentattached to a modular frame component.

FIG. 39( b) is a bottom view of a portion of the wire cloth abrader ofFIG. 39( a).

FIG. 40( a) is a side view of one scraper assembly of the presentinvention including a spring bristle and flat spring in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40( b) is a perspective view showing a flat spring and coiledspring mounted to a modular frame that may be interchangeably mounted tothe scraper assembly of FIG. 40( a).

FIG. 40( c) is a perspective view showing a flat spring and springbristles mounted to a modular frame that may be interchangeably mountedto the scraper assembly of FIG. 40( a).

FIG. 40( d) is a perspective view showing a coiled spring and a springbristle mounted to a modular frame that may be interchangeably mountedto the scraper assembly of FIG. 40( a).

FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a palm handle in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing a palm handle in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a pistol grip handle in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing a rear handle member in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a frame handle in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing a removable handle and scraperhead in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing a handle with a heat shield inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram and close up view showing a brush sweepin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid dispenser, light,thermometer and power source in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

For illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention aredescribed by referencing various exemplary embodiments thereof. Althoughcertain embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein,one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the sameprinciples are equally applicable to, and can be employed in otherapparatuses and methods. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments ofthe present invention in detail, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details of anyparticular embodiment shown. The terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and not of limitation. Further, although certainmethods are described with reference to certain steps that are presentedherein in certain order, in many instances, these steps may be performedin any order as may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, and themethods are not limited to the particular arrangement of steps disclosedherein.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the terms “a” (or“an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeablyherein. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can also beused interchangeably.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs.

For purposes of the present application, the term, “cleaning” refers toany means for removing an unwanted material from a surface, such as byabrading or polishing a surface.

As used herein, the term “abrasive elements” may include any abrasivestructure designed to cut, scrape or otherwise induce wear. Exemplaryabrasive elements include, but are not limited to, teeth, serrations,ridges, barbs, spikes, dimples, threads, hooks, rasps, graters, or anycombination thereof. For purposes of the present application, abrasiveelements may further include protrusions formed on a surface by virtueof applied coatings, pitting, sandblasting or other techniques fortexturing a surface.

For purposes of the present application, the term “substances” as usedherein may refer to any material that is positioned on or adhered to asurface. In an exemplary embodiment, substances can include foodparticles, microorganisms, carbonized or other heat entrained debris, orcombinations thereof.

Additionally, as used herein, “wire rope” refers to a flexible cordconstructed from about one or more strands, wherein each strand isconfigured from about two or more wires that are twisted, coiled orbraided together. When the wire rope is constructed from about two ormore strands, the strands are twisted, coiled or braided together. Inone embodiment, the wire rope is constructed from about two or morestrands, preferably, about three or more strands, more preferably, aboutfive or more strands and most preferably, about seven or more strands.In another embodiment, the wire rope may be constructed from at leastabout seven or more wires, preferably, about nineteen or more wires. Inan exemplary embodiment, the wire rope may be constructed from a singlestrand composed of about seven or more wires, preferably, about nineteenor more wires. In another embodiment, the wire rope may be constructedfrom about two or more strands, wherein each strand is composed of aboutthree or more wires. The strands and wires used to form the wire ropemay be constructed from any metals, preferably stainless steel oraluminum. The wire rope may have a hollow central core. Alternatively,the strands may be twisted, coiled or braided around a central corematerial, such as a strand, a cord or a flexible wire. Similarly, eachstrand may have a hollow central core or the wires may be twisted,coiled or braided around a central core material, such as a flexiblewire. The strands and wires may be twisted, coiled or braided togetherin any suitable pattern. Exemplary patterns are shown in FIGS. 15(a)-(c) and FIGS. 13-14. Two or more strands and two or more wire ropesmay have the same or different types of twisted, coiled, braidedpattern.

The present invention relates to a novel scraper assembly and method foruse thereof that may be used to effectively and efficiently removedebris from a surface by abrading, scraping, cutting debris away from orotherwise cleaning a surface. This technology may be predicated upon theimportance of: improving the scraping ability and minimizing surfacedamage by providing one or more highly flexible spring abraders and/orscraper blade; providing improved spring abraders, namely wire ropebristles, wire rope coiled springs, chainmail abraders, wire clothabraders, or combinations thereof, for abrading a surface; and improvingcleaning efficiency by incorporating a back pressure means that enablesor enhances the ability of the spring abraders to flexibly conform tomultiplanar and curved surfaces.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding structures throughout the various figures, FIGS. 1(a)-1(b) show an exemplary scraper assembly 100 having a scraper head 2and handle 4. Scraper head 2 may further include a housing 6, scraperblade 8, plow shield 10 and one or more spring abraders 12. Scraperassembly 100 may be any scraper or brush for cleaning a surface.

FIGS. 1( a)-1(b) show an exemplary scraper assembly 100 having a scraperhead 2 and handle 4. Scraper head 2 may further include a housing 6,scraper blade 8, plow shield 10 and spring abraders 12. Variations ofscraper head 2, handle 4 and their components are described below.Specifically, FIGS. 1( a)-3 show various exemplary embodiments ofhousing 6; FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), 4-5(d) show various exemplary embodimentsof scraper blade 8; FIGS. 1( a)-2 and 4-5(c) show various exemplaryembodiments of plow shield 10; FIGS. 1( a)-3, 5(a)-12 and 16(a)-40(c)show various exemplary embodiments of spring abraders 12, wherein FIGS.1( a)-1(b), 5(a)-12, 16(a)-21(b), 40(a) and 40(c)-40(d) show variationsof spring bristle 40, FIGS. 2-3, 22(a)-23, 16(a)-29(d), 40(b) and 40(d)show variations of coiled spring 42; FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), 30(a)-30(f) and40(a)-40(c) show variations of flat spring 44, FIGS. 31( a)-35(e), showvariations of chainmail abrader 200 and FIGS. 36-39( b) show variationsof wire cloth abraders 400. Furthermore, FIGS. 40( a) and 41-46 showvarious exemplary embodiments of handle 4. Scraper assembly 100 mayfurther include other features, such as exemplary embodiments of handshields 146 shown in FIGS. 40( a), 42-43 and 45-47; exemplaryembodiments of sweep brush 148 shown in FIG. 48 and an exemplaryembodiment of liquid dispenser 150, light 152, thermometer 154 and powersource 158 shown in FIG. 49.

Scraper head 2 may include a housing 6 having any structure, shape orconfiguration that protects, provides a mounting surface for and/ortransfers a force from handle 4 to spring abraders 12 and scraper blade8. Housing 6 may be constructed from a frame 16 suitable for mounting aplurality of spring abraders 12 and an outer shell 15.

As shown in FIG. 1( a)-1(b), frame 16 may have one or more ledges 20 anda modular frame component 26 suitable for mounting a plurality of springabraders 12. Ledge 20 may either extend inward from frame 16 towards acentral region of scraper head 2 or may extend in an opposite outwardfacing direction. A plurality of apertures may be positioned on ledge 20for mounting spring abraders 12. Additionally, a surface of ledge 20 orany surface of frame 16 may further include conventional fasteners, suchas a track, apertures for receiving threaded fasteners, recesses, slotsor protrusions for mating with a snap fit component, male or femalefastener, latching mechanism or quick connect mechanism, for mating withmodular frame component 26.

Modular frame component 26 may have one or more of surfaces having anysize, shape or configuration, including a flat surface, convex surface,concave surface, curved surface or any combination thereof, suitable formounting spring abraders 12. In an exemplary embodiment, modular framecomponent 26 may have a continuous surface that may be flat, curvedand/or include regions of different elevations. The surface may includea plurality of apertures for mounting spring abraders 12. In anotherexemplary embodiment, modular frame component 26 may have one or moreone or more openings 34, which may be configured as slots, that may beappropriately sized to enable the expulsion of debris through openhousing 6.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), modular frame component26 may have a surface with an enlarged central opening 34 and aplurality of plates 36 that bridge opening 34. Plate 36 may be a simpleplaner structure that spans opening 34 or may have feet 37 located atits distal ends to elevate plate 36 relative to the surface surroundingopening 34. In an exemplary embodiment, modular frame component 26 mayinclude plates 36 having different levels of elevation. As shown inFIGS. 1( a) and 5(a), distal ends of plate 36 and/or feet 37 may beintegral with or removably attached, using any conventional fasteningmeans, to modular frame component 26. Plates 36 may be spaced apart fromone another so as to create a plurality of slotted openings therebetweensized to facilitate the passage of debris through housing 6. The surfacesurrounding opening 34 and/or plate 34 may include a plurality ofapertures for mounting spring abraders 12.

Modular frame component 26 may be removably mounted to any surface offrame 16, including ledge 20 and/or strut 18, or other surface ofhousing 6 via conventional fasteners, such as a rail, apertures forreceiving threaded fasteners, snap fit component, latching mechanism orquick connect mechanism that cooperates with the fasteners of frame 16.In an alternative embodiment, modular frame component 26 may beintegrally formed with ledge 20 of frame 16 or any other surface ofhousing 6.

Modular frame component 26 may be fabricated from any suitable material,such as metal, plastic, ceramic or any combination thereof. In anexemplary embodiment, modular frame component 26 may be designed toresist deformation and may be constructed from a material that has ahigh compressive strength, such as stainless steel. In anotherembodiment, modular frame component 26 may be fabricated from a flexibleand resilient material that imparts flexibility to and offsets thestiffness of spring abraders 12. The material may also be constructedfrom a thermoplastic.

Housing 6 may further include a shell 17 having any structure, shape orconfiguration suitable for protecting the components of scraper head 2and for connecting scraper head 2 to handle 4. In an exemplaryembodiment, shell 17 may be a substantially continuous exterior coveringthat protects the various components of scraper head 2.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, shell 17 may have one or moreopenings 14 designed to allow debris passing between and/or throughspring abraders 12 to be easily expelled through housing 6. Openings 14may prevent accumulation of debris within the scraper assembly 100 thatwould clog or inhibit the efficiency of scraper head 2, facilitatescleaning of the scraper assembly 100 and/or provides a clear field ofview of a surface as it is being cleaned.

In an exemplary embodiment, housing 6 may have an open framework whereinshell 17 is constructed from one or more strut 18 and may be arrangedwith one or more frame 16 to create a three dimensional latticestructure. Each frame 16 may be connected to one or more struts 18 toform one or more opening 14 through which debris is expelled.Additionally, the surface of frame 16 and/or strut 18 may bedirectionally tapered, grooved or otherwise contoured to guide debrisout of scraper head 2. Housing 6 may include one or more openings 14positioned above, to a rear of and/or to a side of spring abraders 12.In an exemplary embodiment, housing 6 may have one or more centralopenings positioned above spring abraders 12 sized to receive a user'shand or tool, such as a screw driver or brush, and two or more sideopenings to facilitate cleaning, repair, assembly or adjustment ofscraper head. These openings may further provide a clear field of viewof the surface being cleaned. Openings 14 may have any shape, size orconfiguration suitable for expelling debris removed by spring abraders12, such as elliptical, circular, triangular, rectangular, square,trapezoidal shape or any combination thereof.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5( b)-5(c), housing 6 mayinclude a frame 16 and a plurality of struts 18 forming six sideopenings adjacent to spring abraders 12 and an enlarged central openingpositioned above spring abraders 12. Struts 18 may be slanted,overlapping and/or stacked on top of one another to provide structuralsupport other components of scraper assembly 100, such as handle 4 andplow shield 10. As shown, in this embodiment, the framework of housing 6may also have an open and upward extending vaulted configuration tofurther prevent debris build-up.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, housing 6 may have asimple open framework constructed from a planer frame 16 and threestruts 18 connected to handle 4. The frame may have any geometric shape,including an elliptical, circular, triangular, rectangular, square,trapezoidal shape or any combination thereof, and one or more edge theframe 16 may be elevated. In this embodiment, struts 18 and frame 16form an open pyramid or basket like structure. FIG. 3 shows a similarframework wherein frame 16 and a plurality of struts 18 form asemi-circular dome or square based pyramid like shape with a pluralityof angled openings 14.

Housing 6 may be fabricated from any suitable material suitable formounting spring abrader 12 and force transference, including metals,plastics, ceramics or any combination thereof. In an exemplaryembodiment, housing 6 may be designed to resist deformation and may beconstructed from a material with a high compressive strength, such asstainless steel. Housing 6 may also be fabricated from a flexible andresilient material that imparts flexibility to and offsets a stiffnessof spring abraders 12 and/or scraper blade 8. An exemplary material maybe a thermoplastic high-temperature polymer with a low durometer, suchas polyetheretherketone (PEEK). One or more surfaces of housing 6,preferably, an entire structure of, may have a non-stick coating, suchas a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin or Teflon®, to prevent debris fromadhering to a surface of housing 6.

One or more scraper blades 8 may be integral with or removably attachedto housing 6 and may function to provide a first macrocleaning pass of asurface. When applied to a grate, scraper blades 8 may be designed toremove debris from an upper surface of the grate bars, which may clog,damage or otherwise impede the operation of spring abraders 12 that areintended for finer cleaning. Additionally, one or more scraper blades 8may extend outward from scraper head 2 and/or housing 6 so as to sit onand support scraper assembly 100 above one or more grate bars. Thereforescraper blades 8 may rest on top of one or more grate bars while springabraders 12 that may either be suspended between and/or rest on top ofthe grate bars.

Scraper blades 8 may have any shape, size or configuration suitable foreffectively cleaning a surface and may include a blade body 22 having asharpened blade edge 19 suitable for scraping. Blade body 22 may have aplanar, curved or angular configuration. Blade body 22 and blade edge 19may be angularly inclined with respect to frame 16 and/or modular framecomponent 26 so as to be angled to a surface to be cleaned. One or moreblade edges 19 may be positioned at a distal end of and/or angularlyoriented with respect to blade body 22. In an exemplary embodiment,blade edge 19 may be linear, curved, pointed or any combination thereof.Exemplary blade edge 19 configurations may be circular, elliptical,triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal or any combination thereof. Ascraper head 2 having two or more scraper blades 8, or additionally, twoor more blade edges 19 may have a different size, shape orconfiguration.

In an exemplary embodiment, scraper blade 8 may be adapted to clean agrate structure. Scraper blade 8 may have a contoured blade edge 19 thatis shaped to correspond to the spacing and position of a set of gratebars. Specifically, the curvature of blade edge 19 may either becustomized, such as by using a wire form, to correspond to a specificset of grate bars or may be designed to correspond to an average orweighted average spacing of various grate bars. In an exemplaryembodiment, blade edge 19 may have a scalloped configuration or haveabrasive elements 28 that are periodically positioned so as to conformto the shape and/or spacing of a grate bar. In an exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 5( c), each scallop curve or the space between theabrasive elements may be about 0.22 inches to about 0.46 inches,preferably, about by 0.31 inches to about 0.46 inches, more preferably,about 0.34 inches to about 0.46 inches and most preferably, about 0.35inches to about 0.45 inches to optimize contact between blade edge 19and/or abrasive elements 28 and the grate.

A plurality of abrasive elements 28, such as protrusions, teeth,serrations, ridges, barbs, spikes, dimples, threads, hooks, coils,rasps, graters, any conventional abrasive contours or any combinationthereof, may be positioned on a plurality of surfaces of scraperassembly 100, including blade edge 19 to facilitate cleaning. Dependingon the application and/or placement, abrasive elements 28 may be aplaner or a three dimensional structure. Abrasive elements 28 may beimmobile or independently movable relative to the surface on which theyare mounted. In an exemplary embodiment, abrasive elements 28 may beconfigured as tapered protrusions, such as wedges, pyramid shaped teeth,flat triangular shaped teeth, serrations, or any combination thereof,that extend outwards from blade edge 19 and/or any other surface ofscraper blade 8 or housing 6 and may be oriented parallel to the bars ofa grate. Abrasive elements 28 may have any geometrics shape thatincreases the amount of scraping surface contact area per given area ofthe abrasive element. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5(d), two or more abrasive elements 28 may have different shapes, sizes,configurations, angular orientations or any combination thereof.

Abrasive elements 28 may be positioned along any surface of scraperblade 8, including along a blade edge 19, an upper surface of blade body22 and/or a lower surface of the blade body 22. The surface of scraperblade 8, specifically blade body 22, may be punched to form dimples orgrating surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, abrasive elements 28 maybe suspended downward from a lower surface of scraper blade 8 and/orhousing 6 to form a set of bottom teeth that function to dislodge debrisusing either a slicing action or by a pounding or striking action.Abrasive elements 28 may be arranged in one or more rows or may bestaggered to further enhance abrasiveness.

One or more scraper blade 8 may be either integrally formed with orremovably attached to any surface of housing 6, such as a front, back orside, so that it may be pointed in any direction, such as a forward,backward, side or diagonal direction. In an exemplary embodiment,scraper blade 8 may be attached to an external surface of housing 6, anedge of housing 6, a central region of housing 6, frame 16, ledge 20,modular frame component 26, strut 18 or any combination thereof. Thesescraper blades 8 may substantially surround a perimeter of housing 6. Inanother embodiment, two or more scraper blades 8 may be attached toopposite ends, such as a forward and a rear region, opposing sideregions, of housing 6.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of scraper blade 8 may beattached to an external surface of housing 6, an edge of housing 6, acentral region of housing 6, frame 16, ledge 20, modular frame component26, strut 18 or any combination thereof so that blade edges 19 maysubstantially surround housing 6. Scraper blade 8 and/or blade edges 19may have a curved, circular, elliptical, linear, rectangular, square,trapezoidal, pointed, triangular shape or any combination thereof andmay further include a plurality of abrasive elements 28.

In an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5( d), scraper blades 8 may beindirectly mounted to housing 6 via a modular frame component 26. Inthis embodiment two scraper blades 8 may be integrally formed with afront and back region of modular frame component 26. The sides ofmodular frame component 26 may include additional abrasive elements 28that may further facilitate cleaning. Alternatively, it is envisionedthat four or more scraper blades 8 may also be integrally formed withthe front, back and sides of modular frame component 26 so as to createa continuous blade edge 19 that surrounds housing 6. Blade edge 19 mayhave different configurations and different abrasive elements 28. In analternative embodiment, the integrally connected scraper blades 8 and/orblade edge 19 may have a collectively circular, elliptical, linear,rectangular, square, trapezoidal, pointed, triangular shape or anycombination thereof.

Scraper blade 8 may be fabricated from any suitable material suitablefor enabling abrasion, including metals, plastics, ceramics or anycombination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, scraper blade 8 may bedesigned to resist deformation and may be constructed from a materialwith a high compressive strength, such as stainless steel. Scraper blade8 may also be fabricated from a flexible and resilient material. Anexemplary material may be a thermoplastic high-temperature polymer witha low durometer, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). One or moresurfaces of scraper blade 8, preferably, an entire structure of, mayhave a non-stick coating, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin orTeflon®, to prevent debris from adhering to a surface thereof.

Scraper head 2 may also include a plow shield 10 for removing debris andpreventing the accumulation of debris within scraper head 2, i.e. onblade edge 19 and/or spring abraders 12. Plow shield 10 may furtherfunction to protect a user's hands by minimizing splatter andbacksplash. In an exemplary embodiment, plow shield 10 may include aplow surface 30 positioned adjacent to one or more blade edges 19 tofacilitate the removal of debris loosed by scraper blade 8.

Plow surface 30 may have any shape, size or configuration suitable formass debris removal. It may include a planar, sloped and/or curvedregion for retaining and removing accumulated debris. In an exemplaryembodiment, plow surface 30 may be a planar surface that is angularlyoriented relative to a blade edge 19, a concave surface or a V shapedsurface.

Plow shield 10 may be fabricated from any substantially flexible andnon-deformable material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or anycombination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, plow shield 10 may becomposed of stainless steel; cast zinc or aluminum with a chrome finish;a thermoplastic high temperature-grade polymer such as those in the ABSfamily, or a super polymer such as PEEK. Plow shield 10 may also becoated with a non-stick material, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymerresin or Teflon®, to prevent debris removed from a surface from adheringto plow shield 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, plow shield 10 may be either integrallyformed with or removably attached to, using a standard fasteningmechanism, such as a snap fit, latching means or a male/femaleconnector, housing 6 and/or one or more scraper blade 8. Additionally,plow shield 10 maybe positioned adjacent to one or more blade edge 19 ofscraper blade 8 to guide debris removed by blade edge 19 away from thescraper assembly. One or plow shields 10 may be connected to a forwardfacing blade edge, one or more sideways facing blade edges and/or abackward facing blade edge.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 5( b)-5(c), plow shield 10may be a substantially rectangular or square concave surface and may beattached to an angled stainless steel scraper blade 8 having abrasiveelements 28 extending out at an angle from scraper edge 24. Preferably,the abrasive elements 28 extend out in a direction in which scraper head2 is moving. The curved plow surfaces 30, preferably fabricated fromcast zinc with a chrome finish, may extend upward from scraper edge 24to catch and remove loosened debris removed by scraper edge 24.Preferably, multiple teeth like abrasive elements 28 are located on abottom surface of scraper blade 8 to further enhance the abrasiveproperties of the scraper assembly. As shown in FIG. 4, plow shield 10may be positioned on multiple sides of scraper head 2.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 2, plow shield 10 may havea triangular V shape that facilitates maneuverability and enablesscraper assembly 100 to remove debris from corners and crevices.Stainless steel scraper blade 8, located along a front and side portionof plow shield 10 may have scalloped edges that are either customized tocorrespond to the dimensions of a specific grate bar or may be sized tocorrespond to an average or weighted average of a set of various gratebars 1. Scraper blade 8 may include a plurality of serrations to furtherabrade and preferably enable detailed cleaning of the side and uppersurfaces of the grate bars 1. A sloped plow surface 30, fabricated fromcast zinc with a chrome finish, extends from scraper edges 24 such thatdebris systematically accumulates on and rolls-off a sloped side of plowsurface 30. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of abrasive elements28 may be located on a bottom surface of plow shield 10 to furtherenhance the abrasive properties of the scraper assembly. A notch orreinforced tip 32 may also be included at the tip of plow shield 10 toenable a user to lift the grate or poke, flip and turn meat cooking onthe grill. Plow shield 10 and/or the various abrasive elements 28 ofplow shield 10 may be configured to catch debris in only one directionin order to facilitate the removal of debris and cleaning of plow shield10.

Scraper head 2 may further include one or more spring abraders 12.Spring abrader 12 may have at least one edge, tip or surface capable ofeffectively clean a surface and may be particularly suited formicrocleaning and removing fine particulates. Additionally, one or more,preferably multiple surfaces of spring abrader 12 may be textured and/orcontoured with abrasive structures. In an exemplary embodiment, springabrader 12 may have a substantially 360° textured or contoured surfacethat enhances frictional contact with a surface to be cleaned, abraded,scraped, cut, shaped, textured or otherwise prepared. Specifically, allfaces, such a front, back and sides, of a spring abrader 12, edgesand/or tips may be contoured. Exemplary spring abraders 12 may have acoefficient of friction of about 1 to about 2.5. Although capable ofremoving and/or scraping away debris, spring abraders 12 may be highlyflexible and therefore may be operated on any surface, including wooden,ceramic, metal or plated surfaces, without marring, scratching orotherwise damaging the surface.

Spring abraders 12 may be integral with or removably mounted to housing6. In an exemplary embodiment, spring abrader 12 may be removablymounted to enable replacement of worn-out parts and facilitate cleaningof scraper assembly 100. Spring abrader 12 may be attached to anexternal surface of housing 6, an edge of housing 6, a central region ofhousing 6, frame 16, ledge 20, strut 18 or any combination thereof. Inan exemplary embodiment, spring abrader 12 may be fastened to housing 6with one or more conventional fasteners, such as latches, snap fits,male and female connectors, threaded mechanisms or any combinationthereof.

Spring abrader 12 may also be directly or indirectly mounted to housing6. Additionally, spring abraders 12 may be integrally or removablyattached to housing 6 via modular frame component 26.

Spring abraders 12 may have a wide variety of configurations suited todifferent functions and surfaces. Exemplary spring abraders 12 mayinclude spring bristles 40, coiled springs 42, flat springs 44,chainmail abraders 200, wire cloth abraders 400 or combinations thereof,which are discussed in further detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 5( e)-5(h), spring bristles 40 may be designed for awide variety of cleaning applications and preferably enable fineparticulate cleaning of a surface. Highly flexible so as to enablebending without deformation, spring bristles 40 may be particularlyeffective for cleaning grates and cross-bar structures. Thisconfiguration allows multi-axial movement to maximize the ability of thescraper assembly 100 to conform to different surfaces. In a firstembodiment, spring bristle 40 may include a suspension mechanism 46 andbristle head 56, as shown in FIGS. 5( e)-5(h). In a second embodiment,spring bristle 40 includes a shaft 48 attached to suspension mechanism46, as shown in FIG. 7. In a third embodiment, spring bristle 40consists essentially of a suspension mechanism 46 that functions as abristle. In a fourth embodiment, spring bristle 40 may be a wire ropebristle 300, as shown in FIG. 13-21( b).

As shown in FIGS. 5( e)-5(h), in a first embodiment spring bristle 40includes a suspension mechanism 46 that may be connected to a bristlehead 56 via a rod 52. Optionally, a washer 53 may be positioned betweenrod 52 and bristle head 56 to create a secure connection and minimizefriction between suspension mechanism 46 and bristle head 56.

Suspension mechanism 46 may be any flexible suspension means,perpendicularly or angularly mounted with respect to housing 6, frame16, modular frame component 26 or any combination thereof, that enablesa wide range of multi-planar motion of spring bristle 40. Preferably,suspension mechanism 46 may be capable of enabling the horizontal,vertical, angular and rotational bending movement of spring bristle 40and bristle head 56. Suspension mechanism 46 therefore enhances theflexibility of spring bristle 40 and minimizes or eliminates theoccurrence of fatigue or fracturing. In one embodiment, suspensionmechanism 46 may be adjusted to allow spring bristle 40 a wide range ofmotion and enhanced flexibility.

Suspension mechanism 46 may be fabricated from any flexible andresilient material, such as metals, including tempered and non-temperedmetals; plastics, including thermoplastics; or any combination thereof.In an exemplary embodiment, suspension mechanism 46 is constructed fromspring quality steel, such as a hardened stainless steel having a gaugeof at least 1060, and can be treated to obtain optimum properties, suchas toughness, strength and resilience. Suspension mechanism 46 may alsobe coated with a non-stick material, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymerresin or Teflon®, to prevent debris from adhering to suspensionmechanism 46.

Suspension mechanism 46 may have any flexible and resilient structurethat facilitates abrasion and enhances the flexibility of spring bristle40. Preferably, suspension mechanism 46 may be configured as a resilientcoiled suspension spring. Suspension mechanism 46 may also be configuredas a flexible spring wire, cantilever flat spring or a buckling column.

Suspension mechanism 46 may be contoured or otherwise shaped to enhancethe abrasive properties of spring bristle 40. When configured as acoiled suspension spring constructed from one or more filaments, thefilaments may have any geometric configuration, such as a rectangularwire, cylindrical wire, or flat wire and may be die drawn, molded,extruded or otherwise contoured to produce a plurality of grooves,serrations, notches and/or protrusions along its length. These grooves,serrations, notches and/or protrusions increase the efficiency andeffectiveness of spring bristle 40 by increasing the amount of abrasivesurface area. The cross-section of suspension mechanism 46 and/or itsfilament may have any geometric shape, preferably a multi-edgedconfiguration, such as a triangle, a square, a cross, a star, a gearlike shape or any combination thereof. Optionally, the suspensionmechanism 46 and/or its filaments may be: further roughened to createpitting and surface irregularities; embedded with abrasive particles,such as diamonds, tungsten carbide or other hard ceramics; embedded withabrasive elements; coated, dipped and/or heat treated to produce avariety of textured surfaces; or any combination thereof to furtherincrease the abrasive surface area of spring bristle 40. In an exemplaryembodiment, suspension mechanism 46 may have a plurality of abrasiveelements tapered to an edge or point, such as a wedge, pyramid ortriangular structure, arranged in one or more rows or layers. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the tips and edges of these abrasive elements maybe blunted, rounded or curved to avoid damaging a surface to be cleaned.The abrasive surface may be blunted by any suitable means such asapplying a material coating to or otherwise mechanically dulling asurface of the abrasive elements. Exemplary abrasive elements may alsobe independently movable with respect to spring abrader 12. The amountand degree of contouring may be correlated to the efficiency andeffectiveness of spring bristle 40 to clean a surface. The degree ofcontouring may be selected based upon the scraper assembly 100application. Preferably, suspension mechanism 46 is sufficientlytextured to effectively and efficiently clean a surface. In an exemplaryembodiment, suspension mechanism 46 and/or the abrasive elements ofsuspension mechanism 46 may be configured to catch debris in only onedirection to facilitate the removal of debris and cleaning of suspensionmechanism 46.

In an exemplary embodiment, suspension mechanism 46 is a coiledsuspension spring constructed from wire rope. The wire rope suspensionspring may be constructed from one or more strands 50, wherein eachstrand 50 is configured from two or more wires 49, such as a flexibleand resilient wire, that are twisted, coiled, or braided together. Whenthe wire rope suspension spring is constructed from two or more strands50, the strands are twisted, coiled, or braided together. Exemplarywires 49 and strands 50 may be contoured, have one or more abrasiveelements or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the wire ropecoiled suspension spring may be made from stainless steel, contouredwires 49 and strands 50 that are twisted or coiled together to enhanceresilience, strength and increase the abrasive surface area ofsuspension mechanism 46.

FIGS. 6( a)-6(b) show an exemplary suspension mechanism 46 configured asa wire rope coiled suspension spring. In this embodiment, the wire ropecoiled suspension spring is constructed from 3 wires 49 that arecontoured via metal drawing or extrusion to have a substantially crossshaped cross-section. Wires 49 are coiled or twisted together to form astrand 50, which has a coiled configuration. In an exemplary embodiment,the coils may be circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular or anyother suitable geometric configuration. The pitch of the coiledsuspension spring may be fixed or variable. Additionally, the coildiameter, strand diameter, hardness, coil pitch angles, coil shape andcoil structure may vary depending upon the application and desired brushproperties.

A rod 52 may be used to connect bristle head 56 of spring bristle 40 tosuspension mechanism 46. Rod 52 may be any standard connector suitablefor fastening suspension mechanism 46 to bristle head 56. In anexemplary embodiment, rod 52 may be used to adjust the stiffness ofsuspension mechanism 46 by immobilizing a portion of suspensionmechanism 46 configured as a coiled suspension spring. As shown in FIGS.5( e)-5(g), a portion of suspension mechanism 46 may be immobilized byraising one or more rods 52 disposed within or adjacent to suspensionmechanism 46. Rod 52 may have one or more fasteners 54 that may beremovably coupled to one or more regions or one or more mating featurespositioned along the length of suspension mechanism 46. A distal end ofrod 52 may be integrally or removably connected to bristle head 56. Asrod 52 is raised, a larger portion of suspension mechanism 46 becomesimmobilized thereby altering the flexibility of spring bristle 40.

Preferably bristle head 56 is removably attached to rod 52 using anyconventional fastener. This ability to removably couple bristle head 56to rod 52 and suspension mechanism 46 facilitates repair and allows auser to interchangeably mount a variety of different bristle heads 56suitable for different applications.

In one embodiment bristle head 56 includes a bristle plate 58 and aplurality of bristles 60 extending therefrom. As shown in FIG. 5( h),plate 58 may include one or more abrasive elements 28 along a sidesurface of plate 58. Abrasive elements 28 may also be positioned on alower surface of plate 58 adjacent to bristles 60. Optionally, plate 58may further include one or more apertures through which debris trappedbetween bristles 60 may be expelled.

Bristle 60 may be constructed from standard plastic, wire or fiberfilaments. Alternatively, bristles 60 may be constructed from wire rope,wherein the strands 50 and wires 49 of the wire rope have a sufficientstiffness to effectively abrade a surface while maintaining a sufficientflexibility to resist deformation and prevent damaging a surface.Bristle 60 may also be contoured and/or have a plurality of abrasiveelements. In an exemplary embodiment, bristles 60 constructed from wirerope including two or more strands 50 of stainless steel contoured wiresthat are that are coiled or twisted together to enhance resilience,strength and increase the abrasive surface area of bristle 60.

FIGS. 9( a)-10(b) show sheaths 64 that may be interchangeable withbristle head 56 so as to be coupled to rod 52. In these embodiments,sheaths 64 may be removably and interchangeably coupled to and fittedover an end of rod 52. Additionally, shaft 48 and spring tip 68,discussed below, may be integral with or removably attached to rod 52,bristle head 56 and/or sheaths 64.

In a third exemplary embodiment, spring bristle 40 includes a suspensionmechanism 46 integrally formed with or otherwise attached to a shaft 48to enhance the flexibility of spring bristle 40. Suspension mechanism 46may be configured to reinforce, offset, compliment or otherwisecooperate and enhance the capabilities of shaft 48. In one embodiment,the stiffness of a rigid shaft 48 may be offset by a flexible suspensionmechanism 46, thereby producing a spring bristle 40 that is durable,gentle and effective for cleaning a surface. In another embodiment, thestiffness of suspension mechanism 46 may also be adjustable. When springbristle 40 is resting, shaft 48 may be either aligned in the same planeas or oriented at an angle with respect to suspension mechanism 46. Inan exemplary embodiment, shaft 48 may be capable of multidirectionalbending with respect to suspension mechanism 46. In an alternativeembodiment, shaft 48 may be stiff and wherein a sheath 64 or spring tip68 provides multi-axial movement. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft 48may have a flexibility of −2.2 kN/m to about −15 kN/m, preferably about−5 kN/m to about −15 kN/m. An exemplary shaft 48 may have a variablespring rate. Alternatively shaft 48 may have a limited degree of motionwith respect to suspension mechanism 46.

Shaft 48 may be fabricated from any suitable material that resistsdeformation and that enables efficient cleaning. Exemplary materials mayinclude metals, plastics, including thermoplastics, or any combinationthereof. In one embodiment, shaft 48 may be fabricated from a hardenedstainless steel having a gauge of at least 1060. Shaft 48 may also becoated with a non-stick material, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymerresin or Teflon®, to prevent debris removed from a surface from adheringto shaft 48.

Shaft 48 may be constructed from a conventional plastic filament or wirefilament. Alternatively, shaft 48 may be constructed from wire rope. Thewires 49 and/or strands 50 used to construct shaft 48 may have asufficient stiffness to effectively abrade a surface while maintaining asufficient flexibility to resist deformation and prevent damaging asurface. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft 48 or one or more wires 49and strands 50 thereof may be contoured and/or have a plurality ofabrasive elements.

In an exemplary embodiment, spring bristle 40 is configured as a coiledspring suspension mechanism 46 constructed from contoured wire ropehaving a single strand 50 and seven wires 49. In this embodiment, thespring bristle may have a diameter of about 0.375 in and is made fromcontoured stainless steel wires. Integral with the suspension mechanism46 is an elongated shaft 48 about 1 in long that is also fabricated fromcontoured stainless steel wire rope formed from a single strand 50 madefrom seven wires 49. The stainless steel wire rope shaft 48 has a squarecross-section with a dimension of about 0.625 in by 0.625 in.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, shaft 48 is an elongated memberintegral with a coiled spring suspension mechanism 46 and twists arounditself to form a reinforced and flexible shaft 48. In this embodiment,shaft 48 and suspension mechanism 46 may be constructed from a singleflexible wire 49 or may be constructed wire rope. Preferably, shaft 48and suspension mechanism 46 are constructed from a wire rope includingtwo or more stainless steel contoured strands 50 or wires 49 that arecoiled or twisted together to enhance resilience, strength and increasethe abrasive surface area of shaft 48.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, shaft 48 may beintertwined with a plurality of supplemental filaments 62 which may bearranged in tufts and may extend radially outward from shaft 48.Supplemental filament 62 may be the same as the above describedfilaments used to form the coiled suspension spring, discussed above. Inan exemplary embodiment, supplemental filaments 62 may be contouredand/or have a plurality of abrasive elements. In an exemplaryembodiment, supplemental filaments 62 are stainless steel contouredwires that are coiled or twisted together to enhance resilience,strength and abrasive surface area of shaft 48. The ends of supplementalfilaments 62 may be splayed to facilitate cleaning. In an exemplaryembodiment, the splayed tips may be blunted, curved or rounded to avoidscoring of a surface to be cleaned.

In another exemplary embodiment, shaft 48 may optionally include asheath 64, which may cover at least the distal end of, more preferablythe entire length of shaft 48. Sheath 64 may be fabricated from anysuitable material, preferably a hardened stainless steel having a gaugeof at least 1060. Sheath 64 may also be coated with a non-stickmaterial, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin or Teflon®, to preventdebris removed from a surface from adhering to sheath 64. The surface ofsheath 64 may include a plurality of abrasive elements 28, such asgrooves, serrations, notches, protrusions or abrasive additives,designed to facilitate scraping and cleaning of any surface. In anexemplary embodiment, sheath 64 may be removably attached to shaft 48.Therefore, when abrasive elements 28 become dull from repeated use,sheath 64 may be removed from shaft 48, and shaft 48 be used to clean asurface. Alternatively, a new sheath 64 may be attached to shaft 48.Sheath 64 may therefore be useful for protecting shaft 48, thusextending the life expectancy of the scraper assembly. In anotherexemplary embodiment, sheath 64 may be permanently or integrally formedwith shaft 48 using any suitable conventional means, such as an epoxyadhesive. Sheath 64 and/or the abrasive elements 28 of sheath 64 mayalso be configured to catch debris in only one direction to facilitatethe removal of debris and cleaning of sheath 64.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9( a)-9(b), sheath 64 may have a tapered conicalsleeve including a plurality of ridges and wedges positioned on asurface thereof. The tip of the sleeve may be blunted or curved so as toprevent marring or otherwise damaging a surface. FIGS. 10( a)-10(b) showanother exemplary embodiment of sheath 64. Here, sheath 64 has a domedconfiguration with a plurality of pyramid shaped teeth positioned on aside surface and tip thereof. Notably, the sleeve may have otherconfigurations, such as a spherical, cylindrical, pyramid or box likeshapes.

In an exemplary embodiment, a spring tip 68 may be integrally formed atthe tip of or otherwise attached to shaft 48 as shown in FIG. 11.Together, suspension mechanism 46 and spring tip 68 may create a highlyflexible bristle configuration that is resistant to deformation. Springtip 68 may have the same configuration and material composition assuspension mechanism 46. Spring tip 68 may be designed to abrade andpreferably microclean any surface, including the various faces of agrate bar 1. The tip and sides of spring tip 68 may be used to clean anupper surface of a grate in a similar manner as a standard bristle. Inan exemplary embodiment, the tip may be constructed from wire ropehaving a plurality of splayed strands 50 or wires 49 for enhanceabrasiveness. Spring tip 68 may also be oriented to grip an uppersurface, a lower surface and a side of a grate bar 1 between its coils.Debris clinging to a surface of the grate may be removed by running thecoils of spring tip 68 along the grate such that the coils contact anupper, a lower or a side surface of the grate bar 1.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, shaft 48 is configured as aconical coiled spring that tapers to a distal end for abrading asurface. In this embodiment, shaft 48 is preferably integrally formedwith a coiled spring suspension mechanism 46. The base of shaft 48 ispreferably larger than an end of the coiled spring suspension mechanism46. As shown in FIG. 12, suspension mechanism 46 is preferablyconfigured as a conical coiled suspension spring with a wide baseadapted to be mounted to a surface of the scraper assembly 100. The baseof the conical coiled suspension spring has tapered configuration with anarrow end connected to conical coiled shaft 48. Spring bristle 40 maytherefore have a substantially tree shaped configuration, as shown inFIG. 12. Shaft 48 and suspension mechanism 46 may be constructed from asingle flexible spring wire or may be constructed from wire rope.

In a third embodiment, spring bristle 40 consists essentially of one ormore of the aforementioned suspension mechanisms 46 that functions likea flexible bristle for cleaning a surface. With respect to the coiledspring embodiment of suspension mechanism 46, the body of the coiledspring may include an elongate coiled body, such as a cylindrical orconical column of coils. Optionally, the coiled suspension mechanism 46may taper to a distal tip which is coated or blunted to protect thesurface being cleaned. In an exemplary embodiment where the suspensionmechanism is constructed from wire rope, the exposed tip may be sealedby fusing or otherwise closed, coated, blunted or any combinationthereof. In an alternative embodiment, the tip of the coil may have aplurality of splayed wires 49 or strands 50 and a region proximal to thetip may be sealed to prevent unraveling. In another exemplaryembodiment, the ends may form a closed loop, and the closed loop may beflattened.

As previously discussed, various components of spring bristles 40 may beconstructed from wire rope. Similarly, in a fourth embodiment shown inFIGS. 15( a)-21(b), spring bristle 40 may be constructed from wire ropeto form a wire rope bristle 300. This wire rope construction enhancesthe resilience, flexibility and strength wire rope bristle 300 enablingit to effectively clean a surface.

Wire rope bristle 300 is constructed from at least one or more strands50, wherein each strand 50 is constructed from two or more wires 49 thatare twisted, coiled or braided together. Wire rope bristle 300 may havea hollow central core or may be constructed from a plurality of strands50 that are twisted, coiled or braided around a centrally positionedcore material, such as a strand 50, cord or flexible wire. Similarly,each strand 50 may have a hollow central core or wires 49 may betwisted, coiled or braided around a centrally positioned core material,such as a flexible wire 49. Strands 50 and wires 49 may be twisted,coiled or braided together in any suitable pattern. FIG. 13 shows aplurality of wires 49 braided together in an exemplary woven pattern toform strand 50, and FIG. 14 shows a plurality of wires 49 that arecoiled together in an exemplary coiled pattern to form strand 50. Whentwo or more strands 50 are twisted, coiled or braided together, they mayform the same pattern as that shown in FIGS. 13-14. Two or more strands50 and two or more wire rope bristles 300 may have the same or differenttypes of twisted, coiled, braided pattern.

Any suitable number of strands 50 and wires 49 may be used to form wirerope bristle 300 that enables wire rope bristle 300 to bend in multipledirections while resisting permanent deformation and retaining asufficient amount of strength and rigidity to abrade a surface.Preferably, at least one strand 50 of the wire rope used to form wirerope bristle 300 is constructed from about two to about nineteen wires49, more preferably, about five to about nineteen wires 49 and mostpreferably, about seven to about nineteen wires 49. In anotherembodiment, at least one strand 50 is constructed from at least aboutseven or more wires 49, preferably, at least about ten or more wires 49,more preferably, at least about twelve or more wires 49 and mostpreferably at least about nineteen or more wires 49. In one embodiment,the wire rope used to form wire rope bristle 300 may have at least abouttwo or more strands 50, preferably, at least about three or more strands50 and more preferably, at least about five or more strands 50. In oneembodiment, wire rope bristles 300 is constructed from a single strand50 having at least about seven wires 49, preferably, at least about tenwires, more preferably, about seventeen wires 49 and most preferably, atleast about nineteen wires 49.

Two or more strands 50 may have the same or different numbers andarrangement of wires 49, and two or more wire rope bristles 300 may havethe same or different numbers and arrangement of strands 50. Forexample, wire rope bristles 300 positioned along a front perimeter ofscraper head 2 may have more or fewer strands 50 and/or wires 49relative to wire rope bristles 300 centrally mounted with respect toscraper head 2, thereby producing bristles having different propertiesadapted to different cleaning applications. Preferably, the wire ropebristle 300 mounted to the front of scraper assembly 100 have a greaterflexibility to more readily conforms to a surface to be cleaned.

Strand 50 and/or wire 49 may have any suitable size or configurationthat facilitates cleaning and removal of debris from a surface. Thedimensions of strand 50, wire 49 and wire rope bristle 300 may beselected to allow for flexibility and enhance the abrasive capability ofwire rope bristle 300. Preferably, wire rope bristle 300 may have adiameter of about 1/32 in to about 1/16 in. Two or more strands 50, twoor more wires 49 and two or more wire rope bristles 300 may have thesame or different diameters or lengths. For example, the stands 50and/or wires 49 of wire rope bristles 300 positioned along a frontperimeter of scraper head 2 may have a larger or smaller diameter thanthe strands 50 and/or wires 49 of wire rope bristles 300 centrallymounted relative to scraper head 2. Additionally, wire rope bristles 300positioned at the rear of scraper head 2, may have longer strands 50 andwires 49 forming longer wire rope bristles 300 than the central or frontmounted wire rope bristles 300 in order to better conform to multiplanarsurfaces and catch loose debris as scraper assembly 100 moves over asurface.

Wire 49, strand 50 and wire rope bristles 300 also may have any suitableconfiguration to facilitate surface abrasion. For example, wire 49 maybe a flat rectangular wire or cylindrical wire. Additionally, wire 49,strand 50 and wire rope bristle 300 may be die drawn, molded, extrudedor otherwise contoured to produce a plurality of grooves, serrations,notches and/or protrusions along its length. Consequently, thecross-section of wire 49, strand 50 and wire rope bristle 300 may haveany geometric shape, preferably a multi-edged configuration, such as atriangle, a square, a cross, a star, a gear like shape or anycombination thereof. These contours increase the efficiency andeffectiveness of wire rope bristle 300 by increasing the amount ofabrasive surface area. Optionally, wire 49, strand 50, wire rope bristle300 or combinations thereof may be further: roughened to create surfacetexture and abrasive elements by pitting, sandblasting or othertechniques; embedded with abrasive particles, such as diamonds, tungstencarbide or other hard ceramics; embedded with abrasive elements; coated,dipped and/or heat treated to produce a variety of textured surfaces; orany combination thereof to further increase the abrasive surface area ofwire rope bristle 300. In an exemplary embodiment, wire 49 and/or strand50 may have a plurality of abrasive elements that taper to an edge orpoint, such as a wedge, pyramid or triangular structure, arranged in oneor more rows or layers on a surface of wire 49 and/or strand 50. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the tips and edges of these abrasiveelements may be blunted, rounded or curved to avoid damaging a surfaceto be cleaned. The abrasive surface may be blunted by any suitable meanssuch as applying a material coating to or otherwise mechanically dullinga surface of the abrasive elements. Exemplary abrasive elements may alsobe independently movable with respect to wire rope bristle 300. Thedegree, placement, type and density of contouring and abrasive elementsmay be selected based upon the intended application of brush assembly100. Preferably, wire rope bristle 300 is sufficiently textured toeffectively and efficiently clean a surface. In an exemplary embodiment,wire rope bristle 300 and/or the abrasive elements of wire rope bristle300 may be configured to catch debris in only one direction in order tofacilitate the removal of debris and cleaning of wire rope bristle 300.Two or more strands 50, two or more wires 49 and two or more wire ropebristles 300 may have the same or different degree, placement, type anddensity of contouring or abrasive elements. For example, wire ropebristles 300 positioned along a front perimeter of scraper head 2 mayinclude strands 50 and/or wires 49 having a greater density of abrasiveelements and contouring than more centrally positioned wire ropebristles 300; therefore, the outer forward most wire rope bristle 300may be designed to have a more abrasive surface area in order toaggressive remove debris from a surface on initial contact.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15( a), wire rope bristle 300 is configured asa single strand 50 formed from seven coiled wire 49. Strand 50 and wires49 are fabricated from 304 stainless steel and may be used to form awire rope bristle 300 having a diameter of about 0.03 to about 0.033 inand a length of about 2 in. In this embodiment, wire rope bristle 300has a high degree of flexibility yet is sufficiently thick toeffectively abrade a surface and avoid fraying at a distal end of wirerope bristle 300 during use. As shown in FIG. 15( a), six wires 49 arecoiled together around a wire 47, forming a hexagonal cross-sectionabout the central wire 47.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 15( b), wire rope bristle 300 isconfigured as a single strand 50 formed from nineteen coiled wire 49.Strand 50 and wires 49 are fabricated from 304 stainless steel and maybe used to form a wire rope bristle 300 having a diameter of about 0.062to about 0.068 in and a length of about 2 in. As shown in FIG. 15( b),the wires 49 are arranged in concentric circular layers about a centralwire 47, forming a substantially circular cross-section. The outer layerhas 13 wires 49, and the inner layer has six wires 49 that surroundcentral wire 47.

FIG. 15( c) shows another embodiment, wherein wire rope bristle 300 isconfigured as seven braided strands 50, wherein each strand is formedfrom seven braided wires 49. Strands 50 and wires 49 are fabricated from304 stainless steel and may be used to form a wire rope bristle 300having a diameter of about 1/23 in to about ¼ in, preferably about 1/16in to about 0.21 in, and more preferably, about 1/16 in to about 1/23in. Six strands 50 are coiled together around a central strand 51, andsix wires 49 are coiled together around a central wire 47, wherein eachstrand 50 and each wire 49 forms a hexagonal cross-section about acentral strand 51 or central wire 47, as shown in FIG. 15( c).

Wire rope bristle 300, strand 50 and wire 49 may be constructed from anysuitable material, including metals, metals, metal alloys, naturalfibers or plastics. Preferably, wire rope bristles 300 are fabricatedfrom a metal or a metal alloy. Additionally, at least one of wire ropebristle 300, strand 50, wire 49 is preferably fabricated from aluminumor stainless steel. The selected material may be further tempered orotherwise manipulated to achieve the desired strength or flexibilityproperties suitable for constructing wire rope bristle 300.

In one embodiment, body 310 of wire rope bristles 300 has a linear orcurved configuration. Wire rope bristles 300 may be mounted to a surfaceof housing 6, modular frame component 26 or frame 16 using any knownmeans, wherein a proximal end 312 of wire rope bristle 300 is attachedto the mounting surface and an opposite distal end 314 is freely movableand adapted to engage a surface to be cleaned. As shown in FIGS. 16(a)-17, proximal end 312 of wire rope bristles 300 may be directlymounted to or embedded in a surface of modular frame component 26 usingany known means. For example, wire rope bristles 300 may be frictionfitted, adhesively attached, snapped into, latched into or otherwisemounted or embedded within a plurality of holes, apertures ordepressions of housing 6, modular frame component 26 or frame 16. Inthis embodiment, wire rope bristle 300 is flexible, and distal end 314is capable of freely bending in multiple different directions.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 16( c)-17, distal end 314 of wire ropebristle 300 may be sealed to prevent unraveling of strands 50 and/orwires 49. Preferably, the strands 50 and wires 49 at the distal end ofwire rope bristles 300 may be sealed by fusing, crimping, lock-stitchbraiding, banding, heat fusion or capping. For example, the strands 50and wires 49 at the distal end may be melded together, adhesively bondedor covered with a cap. Alternatively, the distal end 314 of wire ropebristle 300 may be splayed, with a plurality of protruding strands 50and/or wires 49 creating a soft tufted tip for enabling microcleaningwithout marring the surface to be cleaned. In another embodiment, wirerope bristle 300 may be sealed a location proximal to distal end 314such that strand 50 and wires 49 are splayed at the distal end butprevents the unraveling of the entire length of wire rope bristle 300.

As shown in FIGS. 16( c)-17, the proximal end 312 of wire rope bristle300 may be attached to a mounting surface in a uniform or scatteredarrangement. Wire rope bristles 300 may be arranged in rows andsubstantially perpendicularly oriented with respect to the mountingsurface, as shown in FIG. 16( c). Alternatively, wire rope bristles maybe splayed at various angles with respect to the mounting surface, asshown in FIG. 17. In this embodiment, wire rope bristles 300 areconstructed from about seven strands 50 that are twisted, coiled orbraided together, wherein each strand 50 is constructed from about sevenwires that are twisted, coiled or braided together. Alternatively,coiled wire rope bristle 300 can be constructed from about seventeenstrands 50 that are twisted, coiled or braided together, wherein eachstrand 50 is constructed from a single wire 49. Preferably, wire ropebristle 300 is constructed from 304 stainless steel and has a diameterof about 1/16 in.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 18( a)-18(c), both proximal end 312and distal end 314 of wire rope bristles 300 may be embedded in ormounted to a surface of housing 6, modular frame component 26 or frame16, such that wire rope bristle 300 is bent in a U or V shapedconfiguration having a curved distal apex 316 adapted to engage andremove debris from a surface. By virtue of mounting both proximal end312 and distal end 314 to a surface of brush assembly 100, fraying isminimized and wire rope bristle 300 has enhanced resilience andrigidity.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 19( a)-19(b), proximal 312 anddistal ends 314 of wire rope bristle 300 are twisted together to form astem 318 having a twisted configuration which is embedded in orotherwise mounted to a surface of housing 6, modular frame component 26or frame 16. Positioned at a distal end of stem 318 is a highly flexiblefreely movable distal loop end 320 suitable for abrading a surface. Thestrands 50 and/or wires 49 of distal loop end 320 are tightly woundrelative to one another. Loop end 320 may have a substantially circular,semi-circular, elliptical or tear drop configuration. This configurationof wire rope bristle 300 is preferably highly flexible and heavilycontoured or has a concentrated density of abrasive elements along aninner and outer surface of loop end 320 to facilitate abrasion.

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of the wire rope bristle 300 having aloop end 320. Proximal 312 and distal ends 314 of wire rope bristle 300are twisted together to form a stem 318 which is embedded in orotherwise mounted to a surface of housing 6, modular frame component 26or frame 16. In this embodiment, distal loop end 320 is constructed froma plurality of wire strands 50 and/or wires 49 that are loosely woundrelative to one another, such that each individual strand 50 and/or wire49 forming the loop end 320 may be independently movable relative to oneanother.

Wire rope bristle 300 is resilient, flexible, strong, durable andprovides 360 degrees of abrasive surface area to facilitate surfaceabrasion. In the aforementioned embodiments of wire rope bristle 300,the resilient and flexible spring properties of wire rope bristle 300acts as an inherent flexible suspension system, and the coiled, twistedand braided structure of wire rope bristle 300 provides enhancedstrength and rigidity necessary to effectively abrade a surface.Consequently, no additional suspension mechanism is necessary.

Optionally, wire rope bristle 300 may be integrally formed with orotherwise attached to any of the described embodiments of suspensionmechanism 46. Additionally, any of the spring abrader 12 embodiments,spring bristle 40 embodiments or components thereof in the presentapplication may be constructed from wire rope having the same shape,size, configuration, construction, material properties, mechanicalproperties or combinations thereof as used to form wire rope bristle300. For example wire rope, having the same or similar configuration,construction, material properties, mechanical properties and abrasivefeatures as wire rope bristle 300, may be used to form any of the springabraders 12, spring bristles 40 or components thereof in the presentapplication, including suspension mechanism 46, bristles of sheath 64,shaft 48, supplemental filament 62 or spring tip 68.

As shown in FIG. 8, scraper head 2 may include a plurality of any one ora combination of the various above described spring bristles 40embodiments. Spring bristles 40 may be regularly spaced or irregularlyspaced on modular frame component 26, frame 16, and/or housing 6 ofscraper head 2. In one embodiment, spring bristles 40 may be arranged inrows, offset or staggered to facilitate cleaning of scraper head 2.Preferably, spring bristles 40 may be positioned to optimize contactwith a grate bar 1. In an exemplary embodiment, spring bristles 40 maybe aligned so that the bristles contact an upper surface and/or a sidesurface of each grate bar 1. In a preferred embodiment, spring bristles40 may be appropriately sized to clean an upper surface, side surface,lower surface of a grate or any combination there of. In anotherexemplary embodiment, scraper head 2 may be populated with only a fewwidely dispersed spring bristles 40, preferably less than about 20, morepreferably, less than about 15 and most preferably, less than about 10spring bristles 40. The minimal number of spring bristles 40 and theirwide spacing facilitates cleaning of scraper assembly 100. Becausespring bristles 40 may have a substantially 360° contoured surface,scraper assembly 100 may be highly effective even with a minimal numberof spring bristles 40.

As shown in FIGS. 22( a)-22(c), spring abrader 12 may also be configuredas a matrix of coiled springs 42 that can be used in compression and/orextension. Each coiled spring 42 may have an elongate coiled body 67,such as a cylindrical coiled body, comprising a plurality of coils 68that forms a central aperture 69, that may be horizontally mounted tohousing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26 via a suspensionspring 70 such that coiled body 67 is either aligned perpendicular to orparallel to, sit on an upper surface of and/or slide between a set ofgrate bars 1 to facilitate cleaning. When pressure is applied to scraperhead 2, coils 68 of coiled springs 42 may abrade an upper surface ofand/or slide between grate bars 1 to abrade a side of coils 68. Coiledspring 42 operates by manipulating the coils 68 in a slicing action toremove debris from a grate or cross-bar. Furthermore, the highlyflexible nature of coiled spring 42 ensures that it does not damage ormar a surface being abraded.

In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, coiled spring 42 may bemounted to frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26 so that the lengthof coiled body 67 may be positioned perpendicular to the sides of frame16 and/or modular frame component 26 and wherein the central aperture 69faces a side of scraper head 2. The length of the hollow elongated bodyis positioned parallel to the blade edge 19. In this orientation, thelength of coiled body 67 and central aperture 69 of coiled spring 42 ispositioned perpendicular to a set of grate bars as scraper assembly 100is moved in a forward and backward direction during operation. Coiledspring 42 may have uniform or variable coil diameters, pitch,handedness, coil density, coil rise angle, spring constants, deflectionor any combination thereof.

In this embodiment, scraper head 2 may include one or more sets ofcoiled springs 42 having different properties, as shown in FIG. 23. Aset of first coiled springs 72 may be specifically configured to abradea side surface of grate bar 1. Here, first coiled springs 72 may haveindividual coils 68 or groups of coils 68 that are spaced apart so as togenerally correspond to the spacing between the grate bars 1. In thisconfiguration, coils 68 or groups of coils 68 may slide between andabrade a side surface of grate bars 1. Notably, due to the resilientspring property of first coiled spring 72, coils 68 automatically expandor contract to complement a grate surface; therefore, the spacingbetween coils 68 need not precisely match that of the grate bars 1. Theflexibility of coiled spring 72 enables it to conform to a wide varietyof different grate configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, thespacing between coils 68 or groups of coils 68 may be about 0.22 inchesto about 0.46 inches, preferably about by 0.31 inches to about 0.46inches, more preferably, about 0.34 inches to about 0.46 inches and mostpreferably, about 0.35 inches to about 0.45 inches. First coiled springs72 may have be highly flexible and loosely packed groups of coils 68 foraccommodating a wide variety of grate configurations. In an exemplaryembodiment, first coiled spring 72 may have a fixed variable springconstant or a spring constant of 2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, preferablyabout 5 kN/m to about 15 kN/m. The outer diameter of first coiled spring72 may be about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches. The pitch may be about32 per inch to about 5 per inch. In one embodiment, first coiled springs72 may be capable of sustaining 5-20 lb_(f) over a range of 0.25 inchesto about 0.4 inches, and the compressive strength of the spring may besmall.

A set of second coiled springs 74 may be configured to effectively cleanan upper portion of a grate. Second coiled springs 74 may have aplurality of individual coils 68 or group of coils 68 that are moretightly packed and may be less flexible than that of the first coiledsprings 72. Coils 68 may either be uniformly or irregularly spaced alongthe length of its coiled body 67. Additionally, in an exemplaryembodiment, second coiled springs 74 may have a variable spring constantor a spring constant of about 2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, preferablyabout 5 kN/m to about 15 kN/m. The outer diameter of second coiledspring 74 may be about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches. The pitch may beabout 32 per inch to about 5 per inch. In one embodiment, second coiledsprings 74 may be capable of sustaining 5-20 lb_(f) over a range of 0.25inches to about 0.4 inches, and the compressive strength of the springmay be small.

Scraper head 2 may include a plurality of first coiled springs 72,second coiled springs 74 or any combination thereof to effective cleanmultiple surfaces of a grate or cross-bar. In an exemplary embodiment,first coiled springs 72 may be arranged in a plurality of rows withinscraper head 2. As the scraper head 2 is pressed against a grate, firstcoiled springs 72 are seated between the grate bars 1 while secondcoiled spring 74 conforms to the upper surface of the grate bars 1.Linear movement of the coils along the grate removes residue from thetop and side portions of the bars 1. Rows of second coiled springs 74may be interspersed between first coiled springs 72. In an exemplaryembodiment, first and second coiled springs 72, 74 may be arranged inalternating rows. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25(a)-25(c), second coiled spring 74 may be located within first coiledsprings 72. As shown here, an outer first coiled spring 72 may haveabout 5 loose coils for scraping in between grates. Inner second coiledcompression coils 74 may have about 25 stiffer coils for cleaning a topof a grate and also for acting as a suspension mechanism. The diameterof the coils 68 of second coiled spring 74 may smaller than that offirst coiled spring 72. Additionally, second coiled spring 74 may bemounted to housing 6 and/or modular frame component 26 a higher or lowerelevation than first coiled spring 72.

Coiled spring 42 may be mounted to housing 6, frame 16 and/or modularframe component 26 using any suitably flexible suspension spring 70.Suspension spring 70 may have a flexible spring body 81 integrally orremovably attached to a distal end of coiled spring 42 and a fastener 82that for mounting to housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component26. In an exemplary embodiment, spring body 81 may be configured aslength of a linear or curved resilient spring wire. Spring body 81 mayalso be an extension of coiled spring 42. In an alternative embodiment,spring body 81 may have the same shape, configuration as the flatsprings 44 and/or individual segments 88 described below wherein springbody 81 is a resilient cantilever beam having no predisposed structuralmemory for permanent deformation.

Fastener 82 may be any conventional fasteners, such as a length of wire,threaded means, or eyelet, for connecting the distal ends of coiledspring 42 to housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26. Inan exemplary embodiment, fastener 82 may be a threaded means, such as ascrew, around which spring body 81 may be wrapped. The screw may then besecured to an aperture positioned on housing 6, plate 16 and/or modularframe component 26.

Depending upon the location of fastener 82, suspension spring 70 may bevertically, horizontally or angularly suspended from housing 6, frame 16and/or modular frame component 26 so as to enable a wide range ofmulti-planar motion of coiled spring 42. Two or more coiled springs 42may be mounted at the same or different elevations with respect to oneanother. By varying the elevation at which one or more coiled springsare mounted, this design may facilitate the intended operation of firstcoiled spring 72 and second coiled spring 74. Specifically, first coiledspring 72 may be mounted at a lower elevation than second coiled spring74 so that first coiled spring 72 may scrape a side surface of grate bar1 while second coiled spring 74 scrapes an upper surface of grate bar 1.Alternatively or in addition to, plate 36 or any rigid structureanchored to a bottom surface of housing 6, frame 16 or modular framecomponent 26, may be used to apply pressure against select coiledsprings 42, such as first coiled springs 72, forcing them between gratebars 1 while other coiled springs 42. These structures may beintermittently positioned so that only a select number of coiled springs72 are forced between grate bars 1 while other coiled springs 74 rest onan upper surface of the grate bars 1.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 27( a)-29(e), coiled springs42 may be constructed from the wire rope and operated under compressionand/or extension. In one embodiment, wire rope coiled springs 301 may beconstructed from wire rope, having the same or similar configuration,construction, material properties, mechanical properties and abrasivefeatures as or used to form wire rope bristle 300. Consequently, wirerope coiled springs 301 and its strands 50 and wires 49 may also havethe same contours, texturing and abrasive elements as that of wire ropebristles 300.

Preferably wire rope coiled springs 301 are constructed from asufficient number of strands 50 and wires 49 to produce a highlyresilient and flexible structure that can conform to a surface beingcleaned, wherein the coils 68 of wire rope coiled springs 301 can easilyslide between two or more grate bars 1. In one embodiment, wire ropecoiled springs 301 are constructed from a single strand 50 having atleast about seven wires 49, more preferably, at least about ten wires,more preferably, at least about seventeen wires 49 and most preferably,at least about nineteen wires 49. In another embodiment, wire ropecoiled spring 301 is constructed from about two or more strands 50,preferably, about three or more strands 50, more preferably, about fiveor more strands 50 that are twisted, coiled or braided together, whereineach strand is constructed from about two or more wires 49, preferablyabout three or more wires 49, more preferably, about seven or more wires49 and most preferably about nineteen or more wires 49 that are twisted,coiled or braided together.

In an exemplary embodiment, wire rope coiled springs 301 is constructedfrom a single strand 50 having nineteen or more wires 49. Strand 50preferably has a diameter of about 0.062 in to about 0.068 in, and thewires 49 forming strand 50 preferably have a diameter of about 0.013 in.Wire rope coiled spring 301 preferably has a coil diameter of about 0.5to about 3 in wherein the distance between the coils is about 0.25 in toabout 0.75 in. Preferably, wire rope coiled spring 301 is constructedfrom 304 stainless steel.

Wire rope coiled spring 301 is highly flexible in the axial direction,such that one or more individual coil 68 or the entire row of coils 68may be repeatedly bent at angles and still resist permanent deformation.As shown in FIGS. 26( a)-26(b), wire rope coiled spring 301 has littlebuckling resistance and consequently may be easily bent out of itsnormal resting axial plane. This enables wire rope coiled spring 301 toeasily conform to the shape of the surface being cleaned, wherein allthe coils 68 along the length of wire rope coiled spring 301 directlycontact a multiplanar surface, resulting in a high degree of terrainmapping while still resisting permanent deformation. When subject tononuniform axial loads, wire rope coiled springs 301 buckles but doesnot result in the permanent deformation of coils 68 or wire rope coiledspring 301. Furthermore, individual coils 68 may be highly distorted,pulled apart or splayed, as shown in FIGS. 26( c)-26(d), and resistpermanent deformation; wire rope coiled spring 301 therefore has a highfatigue resistance. In addition to axial flexibility, wire rope coiledspring 301 is also resilient and flexible in a direction perpendicularto the axis of coiled spring 301. The flexibility of wire rope coiledspring 301 in both of these directions enhances the abrading capabilityand durability of wire rope coiled spring 301. In one embodiment, thewire rope coiled spring 301 has a spring constant of about 15 N/m toabout 90 N/m, preferably, about 15 N/m to about 60 N/m, and morepreferably, about 30 N/m to about 60 N/m, more preferably, about 30 N/mto about 45 N/m and most preferably about 30 N/m to about 35 N/m.

When pressure is applied to scraper head 2, coils 68 of coiled springs42 may abrade an upper surface of and/or slide between grate bars 1 toabrade a side of coils 68. Coiled spring 42 operates by manipulating thecoils 68 in a slicing action to remove debris from a grate or cross-bar.Furthermore, the highly flexible nature of coiled spring 42 ensures thatit does not damage or mar a surface being abraded.

A support structure 330 positioned between housing 6, modular framecomponent 26 or frame 16 and an upper surface of one or more wire ropesprings 301 is preferred to enhance the structural integrity and springforce of wire rope coiled spring 301. Support structure 330 providesback pressure against the top surface of wire rope coiled spring 301,inducing wire rope coiled spring 301 to extend towards a surface to becleaned.

In one embodiment, support structure 330 may be a rigid member. Supportstructure 330 may be integrally formed with or attached to the lowersurface of housing 6, modular frame component 26, frame 16 or plate 36via any conventional means, such as an adhesive or threaded fasteners.Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 27( a)-27(b), support structure 330 maybe integrally formed with an upper surface of one or more wire ropecoiled springs 301. When integrally formed with or removably attached toan upper surface of wire rope coiled spring 301, support member 330traverses and rigidly connects two or more coils 68 along the uppersurface of wire rope coiled spring 301, as shown in FIGS. 27( a)-27(b).Alternatively, support member 330 can be configured as a clip positionedalong an upper or side surface of wire rope coiled springs 301 to assistin maintaining a desired coiled form, as shown in FIG. 28, wherein theclip may be used to adjust the space between each coil. Supportstructure 330 therefore functions to brace, provide back pressure to andconnect the coils 68 of wire rope coiled spring 301, enabling effectivesurface abrasion.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 29( a)-29(d), supportstructure 330 includes a planar mounting frame 331 including a pluralityof slots 333 oriented parallel relative to one another for receiving andpositioning the coils of wire rope coiled springs 301. As shown, planarmounting frame 331 may have multiple rows of slots 333 for receiving aplurality of wire rope coiled springs 301. A rigid backing 335 of thesupport structure 330 hingedly connected to planar mounting frame 331applies pressure against the upper surface of the wire rope coiledsprings 301. As shown in FIG. 29( e), wire rope coiled springs 301 maybe removably mounted to planar mounting frame 331 and its rigid backing335. During assembly, wire rope coiled springs 301 is inserted in theslots of planar mounting frame 331. Subsequently, hinged rigid backing335 is closed over so as to cover an upper surface of wire rope coiledsprings 301. A fastener, such as a snap or clamps may be used toremovably position rigid backing 335 in this closed position relative toplanar mounting frame 331.

FIG. 29( f) shows a positioning frame 254 that can be coupled to supportstructure 330 and subsequently attached to a frame 16 of scraperassembly 100. Positioning frame 254 may be integrally formed with rigidbacking 335 or may be attached to support structure 330 by welding, anadhesive means or other fasteners. In one embodiment, positioning frame254 may be attached to support structure 330 in the same manner as shownin FIG. 35( a)-35(f), described below. In this embodiment, the latches253 of positioning frame 254 can be inserted through corresponding holespositioned along a perimeter of support structure 330 and correspondingholes of frame 16. Subsequently, a pair of snaps 253 may be used toclamp positioning frame 254 to frame 16.

In an exemplary embodiment, due to the variability in grate bar spacing,coiled springs 42 may be manually adjusted to accommodate multiplesurfaces having different grate spacing or configurations. In anexemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 26( a)-26(b), a screw may beinserted in the aperture defined by suspension spring 70. As the screwis turned, suspension spring 70 applies tension to one or more coiledsprings 72, 74 so that coils 68 become more spread apart. Additionally,the applied tension may also change the pitch of coils 68 which alsoaffects the coil spacing. Therefore, by turning fastener 82, it may bepossible to adjustably spread apart, compress or angled a coiled spring42 to compliment the topography of a specific surface.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 24, coiled spring 42 may beattached to a worming mechanism 76 that controls the tension, spacingand/or of coils 68. Worming mechanism 76 may be used to rotate and/oradjust the spacing and angular orientation of coiled spring 42, therebyminimizing or eliminating the occurrence of fatigue or fracturing and/orenabling coiled springs 42 to accommodate a wide variety of gratedsurfaces. In this embodiment, a fastener 82 of suspension spring 70attaches coiled springs 42 to one or more adjustment rods 78 via acollar 80. Collar 80 may slide along adjustment rod 78 to adjust thespacing between two coiled springs 42. Adjustment rod 78 which may bereceived in a slot of housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component26. A knob 84 may be attached to and may induce rotational movement ofadjustment rod 78 to enable rotational and angular adjustment of coiledspring 42. When rotated, adjustment rod 78 applies tension to coiledspring 42 so that the relative spacing between coils 68 may be changed.Additionally, the applied tension also changes the pitch of coils 68which may further affect the spacing between coils 68. Therefore a usermay manually adjust the position of coiled springs 42 and spacing aswell as angular orientation of coils 68 to enable a wide range ofapplications. Moreover, worming mechanism 76 may further include amechanism for rotating coiled springs 42 so that it turns on its axis topresent a new coil surface for cleaning a surface.

In a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 22( a)-22(f), coiled spring 42 maybe mounted to frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26 so that thelength of coiled body 67 may be positioned parallel to the sides offrame 16 and/or modular frame component 26 and wherein the centralaperture 69 faces a frontal region of scraper head 2. The length of thehollow elongated body is positioned perpendicular to a blade edge 19. Inthis orientation, the length of coiled body 67 and central aperture 69of coiled spring 42 are positioned parallel to a set of grate bars asscraper assembly 100 is moved in a forward and backward direction duringoperation. This orientation provides a number of unexpected advantages,namely the sides of coils 68 when oriented in this direction providegreater resistive force against a side of the grate bars 1 in comparisoncoils 68 of the first exemplary embodiment, thereby enhancing theabrasive force. Moreover, this orientation also increases the abrasivesurface area in comparison to the coiled springs of the first exemplaryembodiment.

Unlike the first coiled spring embodiment, in this embodiment only oneset of coiled springs 42 need be employed to clean both an upper andside surface of grate bar 1. In this embodiment, when pressure isapplied to scraper head 2, the entire length of coiled bodies 67 ofcoiled springs 42 located between grate bars 1 may automatically besqueezed between grate bars 1. Other coiled springs that are positionedon top of grate bars 1 may rest on an upper surface thereof uponapplication of pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, a central aperture69 of coils 68 may have a diameter that generally correspond to thespacing between the grate bars 1. This configuration may facilitate thesliding of coiled spring 42 between grate bars 1. Notably, due to theresilient spring property of first coiled spring 42, coils 68automatically expand or contract to complement a grate surface;therefore, the diameter of a central aperture 69 of coils 68 need notprecisely match the spacing between grate bars 1. The flexibility ofcoiled spring 42 enables it to conform to a wide variety of differentgrate configurations. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of acentral aperture 69 of coils 68 may be about 0.22 inches to about 0.46inches, preferably about by 0.31 inches to about 0.46 inches, morepreferably, about 0.34 inches to about 0.46 inches and most preferably,about 0.35 inches to about 0.45 inches. In an exemplary embodiment,coiled springs 42 may have a variable spring constant or a springconstant of about 2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, preferably about 5 kN/m toabout 15 kN/m.

Although not required, scraper head 2 may also include a second set ofcoiled springs 42 having a larger central aperture 69. The largerdiameter may be used to ensure that the coiled springs 42 remainpositioned on an upper surface of the grate bars 1. In this exemplaryembodiment, coiled springs 42 may have a variable spring constant or aspring constant of about 2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, preferably about 5kN/m to about 15 kN/m. The outer diameter of coiled spring 42 may beabout 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches. The pitch may be about 32 perinch to about 5 per inch. In another exemplary embodiment, one coiledspring 42 may have a diameter of about 0.34 inches while another set ofcoiled springs 42 may have a larger diameter of about 0.40 inches. Thecompressive strength of the spring may be small.

In an exemplary embodiment, these two types of coiled springs 42 may bearranged in alternating rows. In another embodiment, the smallerdiameter coiled springs 42 may be positioned within the larger diametercoiled springs 42. Additionally, larger diameter coiled spring 74 may bemounted to housing 6 and/or modular frame component 26 a higher or lowerelevation than the small diameter coiled spring 42.

The previously described suspension spring 70 and/or worming mechanism76 may also be used in association with the second coiled springembodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, suspension spring 70 may be arigid spring wire or hinge that holds coiled spring 42 at a downwardinclined, horizontal or upward inclined elevation. The rigidity andability of suspension spring 70 to maintain a position or angularorientation affects the operation of coiled springs 42.

In this embodiment, a distal end of spring body 81 connected to coiledspring 42 may be positioned substantially in a center or middle regionof an end coil 68 of coiled spring 42. This position ensures that coiledspring 42 maintains a substantially uniform formation when a force isapplied to a length of coiled body 67. Therefore, when coiled spring 42encounters a grate bar, the entire coiled body 67, rather than only theportion of coiled spring 42 immediate to the point of contact, respondsto the applied force. Preferably, the entire length of coiled body 67uniformly responds to applied force. The distal end of spring body 81connected to coiled spring 42 should be positioned so that the proximalend of spring body 81 mounted to housing 6 deforms in the manner of atorsion spring.

In other applications or under other circumstances, positioning thedistal end of spring body 81 at an upper region, lower region, sideregions or along the perimeter of an end coil 68 of coiled spring 42 maybe desirable.

The angular orientation of spring body 81 may also affect the abilitythe ability of coiled spring 42 to slip between the bars of a gratedsurface. When spring body 81 is inclined at an upward angle relative tothe site of mounting, this position may induce coiled spring 42 to sitatop a grate bar 1. Alternatively, when spring body 81 is oriented at adownward angle relative to the site of mounting, coiled spring 42 may beinduced to slip between grate bars 1 upon an application of force. Inthis embodiment, spring body 81 may be angled in an upward directionrelative to the site of mounting any where between about 0 to about 30degrees or angled downward relative to a site of mounting between about0 to about 30 degrees.

Additionally, the length of spring body 81 may further affect theability of coiled spring 42 to slip between the bars of a gratedsurface. The longer spring body 81, the more flexible coiled spring 42and the more easily coiled spring 42 may squeeze between grate bars 1.In an exemplary embodiment, scraper head 2 may include a plurality ofcoiled springs 42 attached to scraper head 2 using spring bodies 81 ofdifferent lengths. A plurality of coiled springs 42 may be coupled toscraper head 2 using suspension springs 70 with short spring bodies 81designed to sit on top of a grate bar 1 and using suspension springs 70with long spring bodies 81 to facilitate abrasion of a side of a gratebar 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of spring body 81 may bebetween 1 to about 5 inches.

Coiled springs 42 of the aforementioned embodiments may have any shape,size and configuration suitable for their aforementioned functions. Inan exemplary embodiment, coils 68 may be circular, oval, rectangular,square, triangular or any other suitable geometric configuration. In anexemplary embodiment, the coiled springs may have a variable wirediameter, coil diameter, pitch, handedness, coil density, coil riseangle, spring constant, lateral deflection. These properties may alsochange throughout the coiled spring.

Coiled spring 42 may be fabricated from any flexible material thatretains a sufficient amount of tension to enable scraping, includingmetals, including tempered metals, non-tempered metals and memory metalslike nitinol, plastics, such as thermoplastics, ceramics or anycombination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, coiled spring 42 may bea flexible gauge stainless steel or a hardened stainless steel having agauge of at least 1060. A brass and/or ceramic material may beparticularly well suited for minimizing and/or preventing damage to asurface. Coiled spring 42 may also be coated with a non-stick material,such as a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin or Teflon®, to prevent debrisfrom adhering to coiled springs 42. Coiled spring 42 may further be heattreated to enable operation at high temperatures.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 30( a)-30(f) springabrader 12 may be configured as one or more flat spring 44 that aredesigned to enable fine microcleaning of a surface. Flat spring 44 mayhave a high degree of flexibility suitable for applying sufficient forceto remove embedded debris without scratching, marring or otherwisedamaging a surface. Specifically, the flat spring 44 may function as acantilever beam that has an active vertical deformation that given itsproperties will exhibit a normal force onto the surface during scraping.Once depressed, the sides of the hinge act as abrasive surfaces alongthe sides of the grate to remove fine particulates, such as baked-on orcrusted food debris.

Flat spring 44 may have any configuration suitable for enablingeffective and efficient cleaning. In a first exemplary embodiment shownin FIGS. 30( a)-30(f), flat spring 44 is configured as a leaf spring mayhave a thin planar body 86 bent in a curved configuration having one ormore independent segments 88. Segments 88 may be independently movablerelative to one another and may be particularly effective in cleaningmultiplaner surfaces. Segments 88 may be positioned either immediatelyadjacent to one another or may be separated by a space 90. Each springsegment 88 may have a first end 91 and a second end 92 which may beconnected to the second end 92 of adjacent segments 88. In an exemplaryembodiment, segments 88 may be joined at either one or both of its ends91,92 of flat spring 44. Otherwise, segments 88 may be independentrelative to each other and may be free to move in different directions.In an exemplary embodiment segments 88 may be free to move backwards,forwards and from side to side. Segments 88 may have a curvedconfiguration that is stiff in one direction but otherwise highlyflexible. Therefore, flat spring 44 may be resistant to deformation in adirection of arrow F, as shown in FIG. 30( a), namely in a directionsubstantially parallel to a mounting surface of housing 6, frame 16and/or modular frame component 26. Segments 88 may be free, however, toroll forward, backward and/or from side to side. This design allows flatspring 44 to achieve a high degree of flexibility wherein the flatspring 44 may have an exemplary spring constant of about 2.2 kN/m toabout 15 kN/m, preferably about 5 kN/m to about 15 kN/m. Alternatively,flat spring 44 may have a variable spring rate. Additionally, thedimensions of segments 88 may be designed to enhance flexibility. In anexemplary embodiment, each segment 88 may be about 0.25 inches wide andabout 0.02 inches thick. Furthermore, the length of segment 88 may beadjusted to change the flexibility of flat spring 44. The length may beadjusted by fixing flat spring 44 with a locking or immobilizationmechanism thereby enabling the vertical deformation and stiffness tochange or to be fixed. In general, the flat spring body 86 and/or tip 94may have any geometric configuration, including, triangular orsemi-circular. In an exemplary embodiment, the flat spring 44 body mayhave a U or V shape with a curved tip that allows back and forthmovement over irregular surfaces. While one U shaped segment 88 may beflexed to abrade an upper surface of a grate bar, an adjacent U shapedsegment 88 may be extended and used to abrade the sides of a grate bar.

One or more surfaces of segments 88 may be partially or entirely coveredin previously mentioned abrasive elements 28. In an exemplaryembodiment, abrasive element 28 may have a grater configuration with aplurality of cutting edges 96 surrounding an aperture 98 to create apuckered structure, as shown FIG. 30( e). Abrasive elements 28 may varyin size, shape, configuration and angular orientation. Abrasive elements28 may also be independently moveable with respect to flat spring 44. Inone embodiment, flat spring body 86 may have two or more abrasiveelements having different sizes, shapes, configurations and/or angularorientations. These abrasive elements may be uniformly arranged orrandomly dispersed on any surface of flat spring 44. In an exemplaryembodiment, abrasive elements may be arranged in one or more rows and/orstaggered relative to one another. To further facilitate abrasion, oneor more edge 102 of segment 88 may be sharpened to provide a cuttingsurface. Additionally, abrasive elements 28, such as teeth orserrations, may be positioned along one or more edge of segment 88.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 30( f), a second ends 92 offlat spring 44 and/or segment 88 may be mounted to a surface of housing6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26. As shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 30( f), one flat spring end 92 may be mounted to asurface of housing 6, modular frame component 26 and/or housing 6 whilean opposing first end 91 may be free to vertically move up and down. Inthis embodiment, each segment 88 functions like a cantilever spring.Second end 92 may be integrally formed with or removably attached tohousing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26.

In an alternative embodiment, both the first end 91 and the second end92 may be anchored to housing 6, frame 16 or a modular frame 26. Eachsegment 88 would then function like a leaf spring that rides up a downwhile attached at the two ends. In some instances, flat spring 44 mayalso include segments 88 that are hinged at a second end 92 as well assegments 88 that are hinged at both ends 91,92.

Flat spring 44 may be fabricated from any material, including metals,plastics, such as thermoplastics, ceramics or any combination thereof.In an exemplary embodiment, flat spring 44 may be constructed from ametal or metal alloy, such as stainless steel, specifically stainlesssteel having a gauge of 1060.

In operation, when pressure is applied from the handle to the curvedbody of the flat spring 44, tip 94 may deflect upwards and roll back andforth or side to side, enabling the flat spring 44 to more closelyconform to and remove debris from a surface. Each segment 88 of flatspring 44 may independently respond to the applied force by moving inone or more directions. Debris may be removed from a surface as abrasionelements 28 and edges 102 of segments 88 roll and bend over the surface.Flat spring 44 and segments 88 function as cantilever beams with a freeend that moves vertically up. Upon deflection, a normal force is appliedto the scraping surface. Upward deflection of body 86 may be resistedand restricted when the vertical movement of first end 91 hits and isrestricted by housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26.These structural stops limit blade flexion, focus the energy of attackand/or prevent undue stress and fatigue of flat spring 44. The flatspring end 92 and various stop structures function to prevent flatspring 44 from permanently deforming. Specifically, they inhibit flatspring body 86 and/or individual segments 88 from inverting or moving ina direction that would induce permanent deformation.

FIGS. 1( a)-1(b) show another embodiment of flat spring 44 that may beparticularly suited for gathering debris rather than exerting an outwarddebris pushing force. The flat spring 44 of this embodiment may beuseful for gathering bulky debris. In this embodiment, flat spring 44 isconfigured as a flat cantilever spring and may have one or moreindependently flexible fingers 104 that are attached to scraper assembly100 at only one location.

Fingers 104 may have any suitable configuration that allows forflexibility and facilitates the gathering and removal of debris. In anexemplary embodiment, finger 104 may have one or more flexible members,such as a flexible finger body 110 and a flexible finger tip 112,angularly oriented with respect to one another to facilitate scrapingand/or debris removal. In one embodiment, finger tip 112 may be alignedwith finger body 110 so as to form an integral structure having a flatblade like construct. Alternatively, finger tip 112 may have an acute,obtuse or oriented at a right angle with respect finger body 110. In anexemplary embodiment, the angle between finger body 110 and a finger tip112 may be about 5 to about 45 degrees. Finger body 110 and finger tip112 may have any shape size or configuration. As shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), finger body 110 may have a rectangularshape and a flat inclined finger tip 112 having a rectangular or squareshape. Other exemplary finger tips 112 may have a structure similar to ablade, wedge, anvil or spear point. In an exemplary embodiment, flatspring 44 may include two or more fingers 104, finger tips 112 and/orfinger bodies 110 having different sizes, shapes or configurations, eachof which may serve a different purpose and may be suited to differentapplications. This design creates a high degree of flexibility of about,preferably, about, more preferably, about and most preferably, about 0to about 0.45 inches. The range of flexibility may be adjusted byadjusting the length, spring rate and/or angle of orientation of fingers104 and/or its components. In an exemplary embodiment, flat spring 44has an exemplary spring constant of about 2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m,preferably about 5 kN/m to about 15 kN/m. In an exemplary embodiment,the flat spring 44 may have a variable spring rate to enableadjustability. The flexibility of flat spring 44 may be adjusted byimmobilizing a length of the spring body.

Each finger tip 112 terminates in a finger scraper edge 114, which maybe contoured with abrasive elements 28 to facilitate abrasion. A surfaceof finger tip 112 and/or finger body 110 may also include one or moreabrasive structures 28 to facilitate scraping. The abrasive structures28 may be the same as previously in the embodiment of FIGS. 30(a)-30(f). In an exemplary embodiment, these abrasive surfaces may belocated on a bottom surface, upper surface, side surface or anycombination thereof of fingers 104.

A second end of fingers 104 may be attached to a base 106. Base 106functions to restrict flexibility of fingers 104 in an upward deflectionto prevent deformation and overextension of flat spring 44.Additionally, the upward deflection of fingers 104 may further berestricted by adjacent structures, such as housing 6, scraper blade 8,frame 16, modular frame component 26 or any combination thereof.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), fingers 104may be attached housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26via base 106. Alternatively, base 106 may be suspended from housing 6via springs or other suspension mechanisms to provide added flexibility.Flat spring 44 and fingers 104 may be positioned at any location onhousing 6, scraper blade 8 and/or girder. Fingers 104 may be positionedat a front, rear and/or side surface of housing 6 and/or scraper head 2.Additionally, one or more fingers 104 may have the same or differentlevels of elevation and/or angular orientation with respect to oneanother. For example, one or more fingers 104 may be orientedsubstantially parallel to housing 6, whereas another finger or group offingers 104 may be oriented at an acute, obtuse or right angle relativeto housing 6, frame 16 and/or modular frame component 26. The elevationand/or angular orientation of fingers 104 may also be adjusted toaccommodate various surfaces and/or applications. Fingers 104 mayfurther be positioned in any orientation, including a contiguous arraythat forms a uniform blade like structure or a non-contiguous array,wherein fingers 104 may have a splayed rake like formation.

FIGS. 1( a)-1(b) show another embodiment of flat spring 44 that may beparticularly suited for gathering debris rather than exerting an outwarddebris pushing force. The flat spring 44 of this embodiment may beuseful for gathering bulky debris. In this embodiment, flat spring 44may have one or more independently flexible fingers 104 that areattached to scraper assembly 100 at only one location.

Flat spring 44 and/or fingers 104 may have any geometric shape, such asa rectangular, circular, elliptical or curved shape. In an exemplaryembodiment, flat spring 44 and/or finger scraper edge 114 may form acollective curved configuration, pointed configuration or othergeometric shape that optimizes cleaning capability. To optimize removalof entrained debris, flat spring 44 and/or finger scraper edge 114 mayhave a curved geometry wherein a first set of fingers create a leadingedge of abrasive contact followed by subsequent abrasive contact fromadjacent fingers 104.

Flat spring 44 may also be fabricated from any suitable flexiblematerial that retains a sufficient amount of tension to enable scraping,including metals, including tempered metals, non-tempered metals andmemory metals like nitinol, plastics, such as thermoplastics, ceramicsor any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, flat spring 44may be a flexible gauge stainless steel or a hardened stainless steelhaving a gauge of at least 1060. A brass and/or ceramic material may beparticularly well suited for minimizing and/or preventing damage to asurface. Flat spring 44 may also be coated with a non-stick material,such as a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin or Teflon®, to prevent debrisfrom adhering to flat spring 44. Flat spring 44 may further be heattreated to enable operation at high temperatures.

In operation, when pressure is applied from handle 4, fingers 104 maydeflect upwards, enabling flat spring 44 to more closely conform to andremove debris from a surface. Upward deflection of fingers 104 may berestricted by the adjacent surfaces and structures of flat spring 44,namely scraper blade 8, frame 16, modular frame component 26, housing 6,handle or adjacent flat springs 44 or any combination thereof. Stopstructures may also be attached to any portion of the scraper assembly100. In an exemplary embodiment, flat spring 44 may also include stopsthat limit the flexion of fingers 104 in order to focus the energy ofattack and prevent undue stress and fatigue of flat spring 44. Flatspring 44 may be designed to allow fingers 104 to react to the contourof the scraping surface and lock in an attack configuration to enableefficient cleaning and avoid deformation due to excessive flexion.Applied pressure from handle 4 may be concentrated at finger tips 112 offingers 104, to either create an effective scraping force or to gatherdebris.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 31( a)-31(b) springabrader 12 may be configured as one or more chainmail abraders 200designed to enable fine microcleaning of a surface. Chainmail abrader200 has a flexible chainmail body 210 constructed from a plurality ofinterlinked rings 212 that form a flexible and abrasive surface area andmay be attached to modular frame component 26, frame 16 or housing 6.Chainmail abrader 200 may further include one or more back pressuremeans 218 adapted to apply pressure against an upper surface ofchainmail body 210 so as to conform chainmail body 2010 to a curved ormultiplaner surface to be cleaned. Chainmail abrader 200 therefore iscapable of conforming to the contours of a surface to be cleaned andapplying a sufficient amount of force to remove debris withoutscratching, marring or otherwise damaging a surface.

Chainmail body 210 can have any shape, dimension, and configurationsuitable for scraping and removing substance from a surface. As shown inFIG. 31( b), chainmail body 210 is constructed from a plurality offlexible and interlinked or interconnected rings 212. Each ring 212 maybe linked with two or more, three or more, four or more or five or moreadjoining rings 212 to form a single layer of chainmail material. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 31( b), each ring 212 is interlinked withfour adjoining rings 212 to form a single chainmail layer having arectangular configuration. Optionally, chainmail body 210 may includetwo or more connected chainmail layers, wherein all or select rings 212of two adjoining chainmail layers may be interconnected. For example,the rings 212 positioned along a perimeter, along specific centralpoints or along lines that traverse a central region of a chainmaillayer may be interconnected with corresponding rings 212 of an adjoiningupper and/or lower chainmail layer.

By virtue of the fact that two adjoining interlinked rings 212 aremovable relative to one another, two or more portions of chainmail body210 are free to move in different directions relative to one another.While one portion of chainmail body 210 may be flexed to abrade an uppersurface of a grate bar, an adjacent portion may be extended and used toabrade the adjacent sides of the grate bar. In an exemplary embodimentportions of chainmail body 210 may be free to move backwards, forwardsand from side to side. This design allows chainmail abrader 200 toachieve a high degree of flexibility.

Rings 212 can have any suitable shape, dimensions or surface texture.Exemplary rings 212 may be circular or oval in configuration, having adiameter of about 1 to about 2 mm and a thickness of about 0.021 inchesto about 0.025 inches. In one embodiment, two or more rings 212 may havethe same or different shape or dimensions. Additionally, the surface ofring 212 can be textured to further facilitate abrasion. Preferably,ring 212 may have a plurality of abrasive elements 28 suitable forabrading a surface and removing substances, particularly entrainedcarbonized material heat sealed to a surface. Abrasive elements 28 maybe formed on ring 212 using any conventional means, includingsandblasting, pitting, etching, coating, acid dipping, otherwisetexturing or combinations thereof. Abrasive elements 28 may vary insize, shape, configuration and angular orientation. In one embodiment,ring 212 may have two or more abrasive elements 28 having differentsizes, shapes, configurations and/or angular orientations. Theseabrasive elements may be uniformly arranged or randomly dispersed on anysurface of ring 212 and chainmail body 210. Abrasive elements 28 may beformed along the entire surface of ring 212 or may be formed on selectportions of ring 212, including an upper ring surface, lower ringsurface, outer ring side surface, inner ring side surface, orcombinations thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the upper surfaceof ring 212 or chainmail body 210 may be smooth while abrasive elements28 are formed on lower ring surface, outer ring side surface, inner ringside surface, or combinations thereof so that at least abrasive elements28 are positioned on a lower surface of chainmail body 210.Additionally, it may be possible to modify the appearance of rings 212by sandblasting, pitting, etching, coating, acid dipping, otherwisetexturing rings 212. For example, sandblasting may be used to turnselect rings or the entire chainmail body 210 grey, while acid treatingmay be used to shine rings 212 and chainmail body 210.

Rings 212 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as metals,metal alloys, plastics and ceramics, for removing debris. Exemplarymaterials include stainless steel, copper, other metals or metal alloys,carbon fibers, or combinations thereof. Preferably, rings 212 are madefrom 304 stainless steel. In one embodiment, the material of ring 212and configuration of chainmail body 210 is designed to prevent or avoidscratching or marring a surface to be cleaned.

A back pressure means 218, positioned between chainmail body 210 and asurface of housing 6, frame 16 or modular frame component 26, isdesigned to support and apply an appropriate amount of pressure againstan upper surface of chainmail body 210 to induce chainmail body 210 toassume a stretched, extended position conforming to the shape of asurface to be cleaned.

In one embodiment, back pressure means may be a plurality of rigidplugs, such as a plurality of steel ball bearings. By virtue of themovement of the individual steel ball bearings relative to one another,chainmail body 210 is able to flexibly conform the shape of a surface tobe cleaned. As the scraper assembly moves over a surface, the steel ballbearings move relative to one another dynamically conforming to thechanges in the surface terrain. The plurality of rigid plugs are sizedsuch that they cannot pass through the aperture formed by rings 212 orany apertures formed by interconnected rings 212. This prevents therigid plugs from passing through chainmail body 210. Rigid plugs may beretained in an enclosure formed between chainmail body 210 and a surfaceof housing 6, frame 16 or modular frame component 26. In one embodiment,the rigid plugs are free to move about the enclosure and directlycontact chainmail body 210. In an alternative embodiment, the rigidplugs are encased within a container, such as one or more rubber orcloth sacks, which are positioned within the enclosure formed betweenchainmail body 210 and a surface of housing 6, frame 16 or modular framecomponent 26. The container may facilitates the removal, cleaning andreplacement of back pressure means 218.

In another embodiment back pressure means 218 is an elastic member thatis flexible, resilient, resists deformation and has the ability toresiliently conform to the contours of a surface to be cleaned andmaintains an appropriate amount of pressure against chainmail body 210to abrade the surface without scratching, marring or otherwise damaginga surface. When back pressure means 218 is configured as an elasticmember, chainmail abrader 200 is able to achieve a high degree offlexibility and chainmail body 210 mimics the flexibility and resilienceof the underlying elastic member. Because the elastic member isresilient and flexible, it does not permanently deform upon encounteringa resistive force applied against a lower surface of chainmail body 210by the surface to be cleaned. Exemplary elastic members may includesprings, such as a coiled springs, wire form springs or flat springs;elastomeric materials, preferably elastomeric foams or rubber materialssuch as silicone; any of the spring abraders 12 of the presentapplication, such as flat springs 44 or coiled springs 42.

In one embodiment, back pressure means 218 is a resilient, substantiallywater resistant, silicone structure. The silicone structure may beconfigured as a single silicone block or a plurality of small elasticplugs, such as silicone balls. When configured as a plurality of elasticplugs, each individual plug may be independently movable relative to oneanother. This enables greater flexibility and allows the chainmail body210 to better conform to a surface to be cleaned. In this embodiment,the elastic plugs should have a size greater than the apertures of rings212 or any apertures formed by rings 212 to ensure that the plugs do notpass through chainmail body 210. The elastic plugs may free move aboutan enclosure formed between chainmail body 210 and a surface of housing6, frame 16 or modular frame component 26. Alternatively, the elasticplugs may be encased within a container, such as one or more rubber orcloth sacks, which are positioned within the enclosure formed betweenchainmail body 210 and a surface of housing 6, frame 16 or modular framecomponent 26. This container may facilitates the removal, cleaning andreplacement of back pressure means 218. When the elastic plugs are usedwith the wire cloth body 410, described below, the plugs have a sizegreater than the apertures formed by the wire ropes of wire cloth body410. In one embodiment, the silicone structure may have a shore hardnessof about 30 to about 70 shore and may be operable over a range of about−20° F. to about 400° F. Preferably, water absorption is about 5% orless than the weight of the silicone structure.

In another embodiment, back pressure means 218 is configured as a coiledspring having the same construction, configuration and mechanicalproperties as coiled spring 42. In one embodiment, the spring constantof the coiled spring is about 1 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, preferably about2.2 kN/m to about 15 kN/m, more preferably about 5 kN/m to about 15kN/m. In another embodiment, the spring constant of the coiled spring isabout 1 kN/M to about 8 kN/m. Alternatively, the coiled spring may havea variable spring rate.

When back pressure means 218 is a wire rope coiled spring, it may havethe same construction, configuration, and mechanical properties,including the same flexibility and resilience, as wire rope coiledspring 301. In this embodiment, the wire rope coiled spring ispreferably constructed from one or more strand 50, wherein each strand50 has about seven wires 49 or more, more preferably, about nineteenwires 50 or more. In one embodiment, the spring constant of the wirerope coiled spring is about 15 N/m to about 90 kN/m, preferably, about15 N/m to about 60 N/m, more preferably, about 30 N/m to about 60 N/m,more preferably, about 30 N/m to about 45 N/m and most and mostpreferably, about 30 N/m to about 35 N/m. Alternatively, the wire ropecoiled spring may have a variable spring rate.

Chainmail body 210 wraps around one or more back pressure means 218,wherein a first end 214 of chainmail body 210 and an opposing second end216 of chainmail body 210 are mounted to a surface of housing 6, frame16, modular frame component 26 or combinations thereof. First end 214and second end 216 of chainmail body 210 may be attached to housing 6,frame 16, or modular frame component 26 using any suitable fasteningmeans. For example, chainmail body 210 may be attached to a surface ofscraper head 2 via threaded means, such as rivets, screws and bolts;cords; sewing; crimping; welding; staples; pins; or adhesives, such asindustrial epoxy. In one embodiment, rings 212 positioned along aperimeter of chainmail body 210 may be crimped so as to conform to anedge of and enable snap or friction fitted attachment to a mountingsurface. In another embodiment, first end 214 and second end 216 ofchainmail body 210 may be attached to a mounting surface using wires orcords that are coupled to the housing and also threaded through theperimeter rings 212 of chainmail body 210, creating a drawstring actionthat encase back pressure means 218.

Chainmail body 210 may be integrally formed with or more preferably,removably attached to housing 6, frame 16, modular frame component 26 orcombinations thereof in order to facilitate cleaning and replace worn orbroken chainmail. Preferably, modular frame component 26 coupled tochainmail abrader 200, may be removably coupled to scraper assembly 100,enabling modular frame component 26 and chainmail abrader 200 to be usedas part of scraper assembly 100 and also as an independent hand heldscraping tool. Preferably, a handle may be attached to an upper surfaceof modular housing component 26 to facilitate use as a separate handheld scraper. The detachability of these components further facilitatescleaning and the replacement of scraper assembly 100 parts.

FIG. 31( a) shows a chainmail abrader 200 and modular frame component 26that can be removably attached to any surface of frame 16, includingledge 20 and/or strut 18, or other surface of housing 6 via fasteners220. Modular frame component 26 has a similar configuration to themodular frame component 26, shown in FIGS. 1( a)-1(b); in thisembodiment, modular frame component 26 has an enlarged central opening34, the width of which is bridged by three plates 36 arranged in a rowand spaced apart from one another in a parallel configuration. Plates 36are configured as elongated semi-cylindrical struts that are elevatedrelative to the modular frame surface surrounding opening 34. The lowersurface of plate 36 forms an elongated semi-cylindrical concave cavityfor receiving back pressure means 218, which is preferably configured asan elastic member, such as a cylindrical sponge, an elastomeric foam orrubber material, such as silicone. As shown, scraper assembly 100includes three chainmail abraders 200 attached to modular framecomponent 26 and wrapped around a lower surface of the back pressuremeans 218 positioned within a concave semi-cylindrical cavity of plate36. Specifically, a first end 214 and second end 216 of chainmail body210 are mounted to two surfaces of modular frame component 26 spacedapart from one another and positioned on opposite sides of a plate 36.As shown first end 214 of chainmail body 210 is fixed to a first uppersurface 222 of modular frame component 26. Chainmail body 210 extendsthrough opening 34 adjacent to one side of plate 36 and around a lowersurface of the back pressure means 218. Second end 216 of chainmail body210 extends upwards through opening 34 positioned on the opposite sideof plate 36 and is attached to a second upper surface 224 of modularframe component 26 on the opposite side of plate 36. As shown in FIG.31( a), each of the three chainmail abraders 200 are attached to framecomponent 26 in this same manner as described above.

FIGS. 32( a)-32(b) shows an alternative embodiment, wherein chainmailabrader 200 and modular frame component 26 can be removably attached toany surface of frame 16, including ledge 20 and/or strut 18, or othersurface of housing 6 via fasteners 220. Modular frame component 26 has asimilar configuration as the modular frame component 26 shown in FIG.30( c). In this embodiment modular component 26 has an enlarged centralopening 34, the width of which is bridged by two elongated planar plates36 arranged in a row and spaced apart from one another in a parallelconfiguration. The leaf spring configured flat springs 44, as shown inFIGS. 39( a)-30(f), are attached to modular frame component 26 such thatboth the first end 91 and second end 92 of segments 99 are fixed tomodular frame component 26 in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 30(a)-30(f). Covering a lower surface of flat spring 44 is chainmailabrader 200. Specifically, a first ends 91, 214 and second ends 92, 216of flat spring 44 and chainmail body 210 are mounted to two opposingsurfaces of modular frame component 26 separated by an opening 34. Asshown, first ends 91, 214 of flat spring 44 and chainmail body 210 arefixed to a first upper surface 222 of modular frame component 26 that iseither adjacent to an edge of modular frame component 26 or plate 36.Flat spring 44 and chainmail body 210 extends down, through opening 34,traverses its width, and extends up through opening 34 where second end216, 92 are attached to a second upper surface 224 of modular framecomponent 26. In this embodiment, flat spring 44 is back pressure means218 and provides back pressure to chainmail body 210. As shown in FIG.32( a)-32(b), each of the three chainmail abraders 200 are attached toframe component 26 in this same manner as described above.

In the embodiment, shown in FIGS. 33( a)-33(e), chainmail body 210 maybe attached to pins 250 integrally positioned along the perimeter ofmodular frame component 26. As shown in FIG. 33( a)-33(c), pins 250 areoriented substantially perpendicular to a planar, perimeter surface ofmodular frame component 26 surrounding opening 34. A base 106, to whichis attached a plurality of modified cantilever type flat springs 44 isshown in FIGS. 33( c). The modified cantilever type flat springs 44having a plurality of fingers 104 with free upward bending tips 112. Aplurality of holes positioned along the perimeter are adapted to receiveand be coupled to modular frame component pins 250. When base 106 iscoupled to modular frame component 26, pins 250 extend through the holesin base 106 and hinged fingers 104, covered by chainmail body 210extends through opening 34. As shown in FIG. 33( b), rings 212 along aperimeter of chainmail body 210 are hooked over pins 250. Pins 250 aresubsequently bent or other wise deformed to lock rings 212 in positionbetween pins 250 and base 106, or alternatively modular frame component26. The modular frame component 26 may then be removably coupled toframe 16, as shown in FIGS. 33( d)-33(e) using conventional fasteners,such as by screwing together one or more surfaces of modular framecomponent 26 to frame 16. Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 33(d)-33(e), modular frame component 26 and frame 16 may include outwardextending flanges that may be coupled to one another using screws.

As shown in FIG. 18( a), to facilitate attachment, chainmail body 210may be stapled to a mounting surface. This process involves pressingframe 26 against base 106 and chainmail body 210, which is draped overflat springs 44. When assembled, the chainmail draped hinged fingers 104pass through central opening 34. Modular frame component 26 is thenpressed against a jig 252 that bends pins 250 extending through base 106so as to securely couple modular frame 26 to base 106.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 34( a)-34(c), a positioning frame254 may be used to attach chainmail body 210 to housing 6 or frame 16.Chainmail body 210 can be positioned over a lower surface of base 106,wherein the chainmail body 210 is draped over fingers 104, having upwardbending tips 112, of a modified version of flat springs 44. As shown inFIG. 34( a), these upward bending tips 112 push against chainmail body210 and resist deformation in a direction normal to tips 112. Thechainmail body 210 is maintained in position relative to base 106 andfingers 104 with positioning frame 254. In this embodiment, positioningframe 254 is configured as a plate 256 having a central opening 260, theinterior perimeter of which has an inwardly protruding toothed surface258 for engaging and positioning chainmail body 210 between positioningframe 254 and base 106. The perimeter of plate 256 has a plurality ofholes through which a threaded fastener, such as a screw, may be used toattach positioning frame 256 to base 106 and a surface of housing 6 orframe 16, wherein base 106 and a surface of housing 6 or frame 16, whichhave correspondingly positioned holes for receiving the threadedfastener.

FIGS. 35( a)-35(e) show another attachment means for removably couplingchainmail abrader 200 to frame 16 of scraper assembly 100. To facilitateattachment and removal of chainmail abrader 200, the perimeter ofchainmail body 210 is welded, adhesively bonded, embedded in orotherwise permanently fixed to a plastic rim 251 so as to form a rigidperimeter of chainmail body 210 and a central concave cavity forreceiving back pressure means 218. In this embodiment, back pressuremeans 218 is preferably an elastic member, such as an elastomeric blockthat fills the concave cavity, as shown in FIGS. 35( a)-35(e).Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 35( f), back pressure means 218 may be aplurality of individual steel balls that are independently movablerelative to one another. Alternatively, back pressure means 218 may be aplurality of elastomeric plugs that fill the concave cavity. Apositioning frame 254 may be used to couple plastic rim 251 to frame 16.In this embodiment, positioning frame 254 is configured as a plate 256having a central opening 260. Attached to an edge of plate 256 are apair of snaps 253 and a pair of latches 255. The plastic rim 251 fixedto chainmail body 210 is positioned on and supported by plate 256, suchthat plastic rim 251 is nestled between the snaps 253 and latches 255and back pressure means 218 is inserted through central opening 260.Latches 255 are then inserted through corresponding holes located inframe 6, and snaps 253 may be used to clamp positioning frame 254 toframe 16.

In operation, when pressure is applied from the handle, back pressuremeans 218 and the chainmail body 210 positioned around back pressuremeans 218 conform to the shape of the surface against which pressure isapplied. As multiple portions of chainmail body 210 are free tosimultaneously move in different directions and in different planesrelative to one another, chainmail abrader 200 enables the removal ofdebris from multi-planar and curved surfaces.

When back pressure means 218 is configured as an elastic member,chainmail body 210 resiliently and flexibly conforms to the surface tobe cleaned. Upon release of pressure from handle 4, the elastic memberreturns to its initial expanded state with chainmail body 210 stretchedthere across. The flexible and resilient nature of the elastic memberresists permanent deformation and allows chainmail body 210 to conformto a surface to be cleaned.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 36-39( b) spring abrader12 may also be configured as one or more wire cloth abraders 400designed to enable fine microcleaning of a surface. Wire cloth abrader400 has a flexible wire cloth body 410 constructed from a plurality ofwoven, knit or otherwise interconnected wire ropes that form a flexibleand abrasive surface area. Flexible wire cloth body 410 may be attachedto modular frame component 26, frame 16 or housing 6, thereby formingwire cloth abrader 400. Optionally, wire cloth abrader 400 may furtherinclude one or more of the above described back pressure means 218 thatsupport flexible wire cloth body 410. Wire cloth abrader 400 ispreferably designed as a highly flexible, resilient structure capable ofconforming to the contours of a surface to be cleaned and capable ofapplying a sufficient amount of force to remove debris withoutscratching, marring or otherwise damaging a surface.

Flexible wire cloth body 410 can have any shape, dimension, andconfiguration suitable for scraping and removing substance from asurface. As shown in FIGS. 36-37, flexible wire cloth body 410 isconstructed from weaving, knitting or otherwise interconnecting aplurality of wire ropes. This structure and configuration of wire clothabrader 400 is designed to enhance the resilience, flexibility andstrength.

Wire ropes may be woven, knitted or otherwise interconnected to formflexible wire rope body 410 using any conventional method or pattern.The number of wire ropes and how they are woven or knitted together toconstruct flexible wire cloth body 410 may be dependent upon theintended application of wire cloth abrader 400.

FIG. 36 shows one exemplary weave pattern wherein wire ropes areinterwoven in a criss-cross pattern. As shown, the weave patternincludes two sets of wire ropes substantially perpendicularly orientedwith respect to one another. The first set 406 of wire ropes are wovenover and under each of the wire ropes of the second set 408 in arepeating pattern.

Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 37, illustrates an exemplary knitpattern wherein the wire ropes are connected in a loose series ofinterlocking loops 440 constructed from wire rope. In this embodiment,each wire rope is configured to have a repeating series of U and inverseU shapes. Two wire ropes are connected such that their respective Uformations and inverse U formations interlock to form loops 440, whereineach loop 440 is connected to four adjacent loops 440 at four opposingcorner points 442.

Wire cloth body 410 may have one or more wire cloth layers that may becoupled to one another. For example, in one embodiment, wire cloth body410 may include two or more wire cloth layers that are adhesivelyattached, clamped, fused, sewn, woven or knitted together such that thetwo layers of wire cloth are interconnected along a perimeter thereof orsubstantially along the entire external surface of the two wire clothlayers. In another embodiment, wire cloth body 410 may be folded overitself to form two wire cloth layers. Where the wire cloth body 410 isfolded over itself or where multiple wire cloth layers adjoin oneanother, the wire ropes forming this folded region or adjoining wirecloth layers may be connected to enhance flexibility, such as by fusingthe wire ropes. This multilayer construction provides greaterflexibility and abrasive properties for cleaning a surface. Wire clothbody 410 may therefore have one or multiple layers of wire cloth thatmay be attached to scraper head 2 and used with back pressure means 218.

In one embodiment, wire cloth body 410 may be constructed from wirerope, having the same or similar configuration, construction, materialproperties, mechanical properties and abrasive features as or used toform wire rope bristle 300. Consequently, wire cloth body 401 may havethe same number, arrangement and diameter of strands 50 and/or wires 49as that of wire rope bristles 300. Wire cloth body 410 and its strands50 and wires 49 may also have the same contours, texturing and abrasiveelements as that of wire rope bristles 300. In the present invention,any suitable number, configuration and arrangement of strand 50 and wire49 may be used to form wire rope that would enable the wire cloth body410 to flexibly bend in multiple directions and conform to the curved ormultiplanar contours of a surface.

Wire rope, strand 50 and wire 49 may be constructed from any suitablemetal or metal alloy material, preferably, aluminum or stainless steel.The selected material may be further tempered or manipulated to achievethe desired strength or flexibility properties suitable for constructingwire rope.

By virtue of the flexible woven or knitted configuration of wire clothabrader 400, two or more portions of flexible wire cloth body 410 arefree to move in different directions relative to one another. While oneportion of flexible wire cloth body 410 may be retracted to abrade anupper surface of a grate bar, an adjacent portion may be extended andused to abrade the adjacent sides of the grate bar. In an exemplaryembodiment portions of flexible wire cloth body 410 may be free to movebackwards, forwards and from side to side.

A greater degree of flexibility can be achieved by wrapping a portion offlexible wire cloth body 410 around any of the previously described backpressure means 218. This design allows wire cloth abrader 400 to betterconform to the surface being cleaned. Back pressure means 218,positioned between flexible wire cloth body 410 and a surface of housing6, frame 16 or modular frame component 26, is designed to apply anappropriate amount of pressure against an upper surface of flexible wirecloth body 410 to induce flexible wire cloth body 410 to assume astretched, extended position conforming to a surface to be cleaned. Whenback pressure system 218 is configured as an elastic member, theflexibility and resilience of back pressure system 218 enables it toresist permanent deformation, allow wire cloth body 410 to conform tothe contours of a surface to be cleaned and maintain an appropriateamount of pressure against flexible wire cloth body 410 to abrade thesurface.

Flexible wire cloth body 410 wraps around and is supported by one ormore back pressure means 218 and is further mounted to a surface ofhousing 6, frame 16, modular frame component 26 or combinations thereof.In one embodiment, a first end 414 and opposing second end 416 offlexible wire cloth body 410 may be attached to housing 6, frame 16,modular frame component 26 using any suitable fastening means. Forexample, flexible wire cloth body 410 may be attached to scraper head 2via threaded means, such as rivets, screws and bolts; cords; sewing;crimping; welding; staples; pins; or adhesives, such as industrialepoxy. In one embodiment, first end 414 and second end 416 of flexiblewire cloth body 410 are attached to a mounting surface using wires orcords that are sewn or threaded through flexible wire cloth body 410creating a drawstring action that encase back pressure means 218.Alternatively, flexible wire cloth body 410 may also be pinned to amounting surface, wherein the pins formed along the edges of housing 6,may pass through flexible wire cloth body 410 and subsequently, uponbending the pin, lock flexible wire cloth body 410 to the mountingsurface. Alternatively, the pins of modular frame component 26 or frame16 may be configured as hooks for penetrating and latching onto asurface of flexible wire cloth body 410. In another embodiment, a seamis welded at, along a surface adjoining, or along a surface adjacent toa perimeter of flexible wire cloth body 410, including along an edge ofsecond end 416 and an edge of first end 414. The seam functions toprevent wire rope from unraveling and to facilitate attachment to amounting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, conventional fasteners,such as threaded fasteners, latches, snaps, adhesives, pins, may bepositioned on a surface of the welded seam to facilitate attachment.Alternatively, these conventional fasteners may be directly attached toflexible wire cloth body 410.

Flexible wire cloth body 410 may be integrally formed with or removablyattached to housing 6, frame 16, modular frame component 26. Preferably,modular frame component 26 and flexible wire cloth abrader 400,including flexible wire cloth body 410 and back pressure means 218, areremovably connected to scraper assembly 100 to facilitate cleaning andreplace damaged or worn wire cloths. Therefore, modular frame component26 and wire cloth abrader 400 may be used as part of scraper assembly100 or as an independent hand held scraping tool. Preferably, a handlemay be attached to an upper surface of modular housing component 26 tofacilitate use as a separate hand held scraper. The detachability ofthese components further facilitates the cleaning and replacing parts ofscraper assembly 100.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 38( a)-38(b), wire cloth abrader400 and modular frame component 26 can be removably attached to anysurface of frame 16, including ledge 20 and/or strut 18, or othersurface of housing 6 via fasteners 320. In this embodiment, modularframe component 26 has a similar configuration to the modular framecomponent 26 shown in FIGS. 1( a)-1(b), which has an enlarged centralopening 34, the width of which is bridged by three plates 36 arranged ina row and spaced apart from one another in a parallel configuration.Plates 36 are configured as elongated semi-cylindrical struts that areelevated relative to the modular frame surface surrounding opening 34.The lower surface of plate 36 forms an elongated semi-cylindricalconcave cavity for receiving back pressure means 218, preferablyconfigured as a cylindrical elastic sponge or cylindrical elastomericmaterial, such as silicone. As shown, scraper assembly 100 includesthree wire cloth abraders 400 attached to modular frame component 26 andwrapped around a lower surface of a back pressure means 218 positionedwithin a concave semi-cylindrical cavity of plate 36. Specifically, afirst end 414 and second end 416 of flexible wire cloth body 410 aremounted to two surfaces of modular frame component 26 spaced apart fromone another and positioned on opposite sides of plate 36. As shown,first end 414 of flexible wire cloth body 410 is fixed to a first uppersurface 322 of modular frame component 26. Flexible wire cloth body 410extends through opening 34 adjacent to one side of plate 36 and around alower surface of a back pressure means 218. Second end 416 of flexiblewire cloth body 410 extends upwards through opening 34 positioned on theopposite side of plate 36 and is attached to a second upper surface 324of modular frame component 26 on the opposite side of plate 36. As shownin FIGS. 38( a)-38(b), each of the three wire cloth abraders 400 areattached to frame component 26 in this same manner as described above.

FIGS. 39( a)-39(b) shows an alternative embodiment wherein wire clothabrader 400 and modular frame component 26 are removably attached to anysurface of frame 16, including ledge 20 and/or strut 18, or othersurface of housing 6 via fasteners 320. As shown, modular framecomponent 26 has a similar configuration as the modular frame component26 shown in FIG. 30( c). In this embodiment, frame component 26 has anenlarged central opening 34, the width of which is bridged by twoelongated planar plates 36 arranged in a row and spaced apart from oneanother in a parallel configuration. Leaf spring configured flat springs44, as shown in FIGS. 30( a)-30(f), may be attached to modular framecomponent 26 such that both the first end 91 and second end 92 ofsegments 99 are fixed to modular frame component 26 in the same manneras shown in FIGS. 30( a)-30(f). Attached to a lower surface of flatspring 44 is wire cloth abrader 400. Specifically, a first end 91, 414and second end 92, 416 of flat spring 44 and wire cloth body 410 aremounted to two opposing surfaces of modular frame component 26 separatedby opening 34. As shown, first end 91, 414 of flat spring 44 andflexible wire cloth body 410 are fixed to a first upper surface 322 ofmodular frame component 26 that is either adjacent to an edge of modularframe component 26 or plate 36. Flat spring 44 and flexible wire clothbody 410 extends down and through opening 34, traversing its width, andextends up through opening 34 on an opposite side of plate 36, wheresecond end 416, 92 are attached to a second upper surface 324 of modularframe component 26. In this embodiment, flat spring 44 is back pressuremeans 218 and provides back pressure to flexible wire cloth body 410. Asshown in FIGS. 39( a)-39(b), each of the three wire cloth abraders 400are attached to frame component 26 in this same manner as describedabove.

In an one embodiment, wire cloth abrader 400 may be coupled to anysurface of frame 16, including ledge 20 and/or strut 18, or othersurface of housing 6 using the attachment means and system shown inFIGS. 33( a)-35(d), wherein the chainmail body 210 is replaced with wirecloth body 410.

In operation, when pressure is applied from the handle, back pressuremeans 218 and the flexible wire cloth body 410 positioned around elasticmember 218 conform to the shape of the surface against which pressure isapplied. As multiple portions of flexible wire cloth body 410 are freeto simultaneously move in different directions and in different planesrelative to one another, wire cloth abrader 400 enables the removal ofdebris from multi-planar and curved surfaces.

When back pressure means 218 is configured as an elastic member, wirecloth body resiliently conforms to the shape of the surface beingcleaned. Upon release of pressure from handle 4, the elastic memberreturns to its initial expanded state with wire cloth body 410 stretchedthere across. Therefore, the flexibility and resilience of elasticmember prevents flat spring 44 from permanently deforming.

As demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1( a)-1(b) and40(a)-40(d), scraper head 2 may include any combination of the abovediscussed spring abraders 12, namely spring bristles 40, coiled springs42, flat spring 44, chainmail abrader 200 and wire cloth abrader 400.Additionally, removable modular frame component 26 may be used toreplace and/or exchange spring abraders 12 to enable a wide variety ofapplications. These various spring abraders 12 may be arranged in rows,staggered or otherwise spaced apart relative to one another in order toprevent the debris build-up and facilitate cleaning of the scraperassembly. Additionally, removable modular frame component 26 may be usedto replace and/or exchange spring abraders 12 to enable a wide varietyof applications.

To facilitate operation, spring abrader 12 may be attached to a powersource, such as a motor, that may automate the cleaning process. In oneembodiment, the motor may be used to motorize the entire head. The powersource may be capable of imparting motion to select or all elementscomprising scraper head 2, modular frame 26, frame 16 and/or springabrader 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the power source may adjust,orient, angle, rotate, twirl, bend or otherwise impart motion to springbristle 40. Similarly, it may be capable of adjusting, orienting,angling, rotating, or otherwise imparting motion to coiled spring 42,chainmail abrader 200 or wire cloth abrader 400. In another exemplaryembodiment, it may also adjust, orient, angle or otherwise impart motionto flat spring 44, chainmail abrader 200 or wire cloth abrader 400. Thepower source may also selectively impart motion to individual springbristles 40, coiled springs 42, flat spring 44, chainmail abrader 200,wire cloth abrader 400 or any combination thereof. Alternatively, powermay be supplied to automate a group of spring abraders 12. The powersource may be built into the handle 4 and/or scraper head 2.Alternatively, the power source may be a removable attachment that maybe inserted between scraper head 2 and handle 4. The power source mayalso be used to power other features of scraper assembly 100 includinglights or other electronic equipment attached thereto.

Scraper assembly 100 may further include a handle 4 having anyconfigurations suitable for efficiently transferring an applied force toscraper head 2. Handle 4 may be designed to ergonomically facilitategripping, effectively orient scraper head 2 relative to a surface andenhance the pressure applied to a surface. In the simplest design,handle 4 may be a surface of scraper head 2 that a user may grip.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 40( a), handle 4 may havean elongated handle shaft 118 having a distal handle end 120 designed tofit within a palm. In an exemplary embodiment, handle 4 may have alength of at least 10 inches, preferably, at least 12.5 inches and mostpreferably, at least 14 inches to enhance leverage. Handle shaft 118 mayfurther have a gripping means 122, such as finger grips, notches,grooves, indentations, contouring or any combination thereof tofacilitate gripping. Additionally, one or more surfaces of handle 4 maybe covered with an elastomeric overmolding 124 to provide additionalcomfort and prevent slippage. Handle 4 may also include a mounting hole126 that enables scraper assembly 100 to hang from any hook.

Handle 4 may be fabricated from any material including metal, plastic,such as a thermoplastic, ceramic or any combination thereof. In anexemplary embodiment, handle 4 may be fabricated from ABS plastic.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 41, handle 4 may furtherinclude a palm handle 128, which may be located at any point alongelongated handle shaft 118. In an exemplary embodiment, palm handle 128is adjacent to scraper head 2. Palm handle 128 may be enlarged and/orcovered with an elastic overmolding 124 to facilitate gripping. Palmhandle 128 may serve as an additional or alternative means for grippingthe scraper assembly 100 and may be designed to further optimize theamount of force applied to a surface to be cleaned. Scraper assembly 100may be effectively wielded to clean a surface by either gripping palmhandle 128 with one hand, gripping a portion of elongated handle shaft118 with one hand, or gripping both palm handle 128 and handle shaft118. Additionally, palm handle 128 may also serve as a barrier toprevent a user's hand from slipping down handle shaft 118 towards thesurface being cleaned.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 42-43, handle 4 may havea pistol grip configuration including a rear handle member 130 and afront handle member 132. In FIGS. 42-43, rear handle member 130 may be acylindrical protrusion that a user may grasp with one hand. In analternative exemplary embodiment of FIG. 44, rear handle member 130 mayhave an aperture 134 to receive a user's fingers to facilitate grasping.Front handle member 132 may have a knob or enlarged head configuration.Additionally, front handle member 132 may be ergonomically tilted andconfigured to facilitate gripping and application of pressure. Theuser's other hand may be placed on front handle member 132 to controlthe direction of scraper assembly 100 and further apply force to asurface. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more surfaces of handlemembers 130 and 132 may have gripping means 122 and/or elastic overmolding 124 to prevent slippage and provide additional comfort. In anexemplary embodiment, rear handle member 130 may be ergonomically tiltedaway from a heat source to protect a user's wrist.

In the alternative exemplary embodiment of FIG. 45, handle 4 may have ahandle frame 138 with an opening 140 for receiving a user's fingers.Handle frame 138 may be sized to enable one or two handed gripping.

The various handles of the present invention may be designed to maximizethe amount of force applied to effectively clean a surface whilereducing the amount of stress and effort required by a user. Handle 4may be efficiently designed to provide comfort, power and control duringoperation. Additionally, the ergonomic design of handle 4 allows a userto grip the scraper assembly 100 with one hand or apply pressure withtwo hands.

Handle 4 may be integrally or removably attached to scraper head 2. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 42 and 46, scraper assembly 100of the present invention may be a modular device and may includemultiple interchangeable handles 4 and scraper heads 2. By interchanginghandles 4 and scraper heads 2, scraper assembly 100 may be capableaccommodating wide variety of surfaces. Furthermore, the ability toreplace scraper head 2 or a component thereof may further increase thedurability scraper assembly 100.

Handle 4 may be removably attached to scraper head 2 using any standardfastening means 142 and corresponding mating feature 143, such as a snapjunction, a male/female connector, a threaded mechanism or anycombination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, fastening means 142 isa male/female modular docking mechanism that enables handle 4 to beremovably attached to scraper head 2 by pressing button 144.

In addition to the aforementioned features and components of scraperhead 2 and handle 4, scraper assembly 100 of the present application mayfurther include a number of optional features, such as a hand shield146, a sweep brush 148, a liquid dispenser 150, a light 152, athermometer 154 and power source 158. These features are designed toimprove the cleaning capability of the scraper assembly 100 and may beoperable with any of the above embodiments of scraper head 2 and handle4.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 40( a), 42-43, 45-47, oneor more hand shields 146 separating a user's hand from a surface beingcleaned may be mounted to scraper head 2 and/or handle 4. Hand shield146 may be removably attached to or integral with the scraper head 2and/or handle 4. In an exemplary embodiment, hand shield 146 maycomprise one or more flanges 156. In an exemplary embodiment, handshield 146 may comprise one or more flanges 160, preferably a pluralityof flanges 160, that extend away from the body of scraper head 1 and/orhandle 4. Flanges 160 may function as a heat sink to expel heat. Asshown in FIG. 40( a), hand shield 146 may include a plurality of stackedor overlapping flanges.

Hand shield 146 and flange 160 may extend from or may be attached to anyportion of scraper head 2 and/or handle 4. In an exemplary embodiment,hand shield 148 may be configured to encase a portion or the entirelength of user's hand and/or forearm. As shown in FIGS. 42-43 and 45-46,hand shield 146 may be formed along and extend away from a perimeter ofhandle 4 and/or scraper head 2. Hand shield 146 may extend along aportion or substantially the entire length of the perimeter of handle 4and/or scraper head 2.

In an exemplary embodiment, scraper assembly 100 may include multiplehand shields 146 or multiple flanges 160 that surround hand grippingportions of handle shaft 118, such as handle end 118, palm handle 128,pistol grip components 130, 132, handle frame 138 or any combinationthereof. These flanges 160 may function as heat sinks to dissipate heat.As shown in FIG. 47, hand shield 146 may substantially surround one ormore structures of handle 4, such as palm grip 128, or scraper head 2.

Hand shield 146 may be constructed from any suitable material capable ofprotecting a user's hand from dislodged debris and severe heat, such asmetal, plastic, ceramic or any combination thereof. In an exemplaryembodiment, hand shield 146 may be constructed from a thermallyinsulated material such as a thermoplastic. In another exemplaryembodiment, hand shield 146 may be constructed from stainless steel.

Scraper assembly 100 may further include a sweep brush 148 that mayfunction to remove and/or disperse residue dislodged by spring abrader12, scraper blade 8, plow shield 10 or any combination thereof. Sweepbrush 148 may include a plurality of sweep bristles 162 and a platform165.

Sweep brush 148 may be constructed from a plurality of sweep bristles162 having any suitable size, dimension or configuration. In anexemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may have different lengths toaccommodate multiplaner surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, each sweepbristle 162 may incorporate a plurality of elements. In an exemplaryembodiment each bristle may have any where between 1 to about 7elements, such as strands 50, per bristle. Sweep bristles 162 may have alength of about 0.5 inches to about 5 inches and may have a diameter ofabout 0.0625 to about 0.25 inches. Sweep bristles may be thinly orthickly set. In an exemplary embodiment, sweep brush 148 may have about12 wires that are widely spaced apart. Sweep bristles 162 may bearranged in one or more rows wherein sweep bristles 162 are offset,parallel, or splayed relative to one another to facilitate debrisremoval and cleaning of the scraper assembly. In an exemplaryembodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be mounted with a directional bias tofacilitate sweeping. Additionally sweep bristles may include a pluralityof abrasive elements 28 positioned along a surface thereof, preferablyon all 360 degree surfaces thereof.

In one exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be constructed inthe same manner as shaft 48. Sweep bristles are preferably constructedfrom wire rope, having the same or similar structure, configuration,material composition and properties as wire rope bristle 300. In thisembodiment, sweep bristles 162 are preferably a braided and contouredwire rope. Sweep bristles 162 may be strong and highly flexible wires.The ends of sweep bristles 162 may be sealed, splayed out, flattened orblunted, such as by applying a material coating. The ends of the wiresmay bend upon contacting a surface.

In another exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be strong,flexible pins, which are pre-threaded, contoured or otherwise texturedso as to have a substantially 360° degree abrasive surface area. Therelative thickness and dimension of the pin may be similar to a standardpin or sewing needle.

In another exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be an array ofchains, preferably chains which have been contoured or otherwisetextured so as to have a substantially 360° degree abrasive surfacearea. The suspended chains may be substantially strong and flexible toabrade a surface. In another exemplary embodiment, sweep brush 148 maybe configured as a coiled spring. In one embodiment, it may have thesame properties and characteristics as that of coiled spring 42 orspring tip 68. Moreover, sweep brush 148 and/or sweep bristles 162 maybe configured to catch debris in only one direction in order tofacilitate the removal of debris and cleaning of sweep brush 148.

In an exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may further have a springsuspension system have the same structure, configuration and material assuspension mechanism 46 to which any of the aforementionedconfigurations of sweep bristles 162 may be attached.

Sweep brush 148 and/or sweep bristles 162 may be mounted to a surface ofhousing 6, frame 16, modular frame component 26, handle 4 or anycombination thereof. Sweep brush 148 and/or sweep bristles 162 may belocated immediately behind, along a perimeter of or at a distance fromspring abrader 12, scraper blade 8, plow shield 10 or any combinationthereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be attached to aplatform 165 that may be detachable from scraper assembly 100, enablingthe sweep brush 148 to function as an independent and separate brush.Platform 165, shown in FIG. 48, may have an open architecture includinga plurality of openings 167 suitable for allowing the passage of debristherethrough. Further openings 167 may allow a user to flush waterthrough platform 165, over sweep bristles 162 and onto a surface beingcleaned. In an exemplary embodiment, platform 165 may have the sameconfiguration as plate 36, modular frame 26 or a combination thereof.The platform may further including any conventional fastening mechanismsfor mounting to frame 16, modular frame component 26 or any othersurface of housing 6.

The sweep brush 148 may further include a moving frame that may bemounted to the platform to selectively immobilize a length of sweepbristles 162 and thereby control the stiffness of the sweep bristles162. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame may be configured as acheckerboard with slots for individually receiving one or more sweepbristles. Additionally, the frame may also be used to clean sweepbristles 162. As it is raised and lowered against sweep bristles 162, itmay be used to scrape away debris located on the sweep bristles.

Sweep brush 148 may be fabricated from any resilient flexible materialthat may enable efficient cleaning, such as metals, plastics, such asthermoplastics, ceramics or any combination thereof. In an exemplaryembodiment, sweep bristles 162 may be constructed from flexiblestainless steel spring wire. Additionally, sweep bristles 162 may becoated with a non-stick material, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymerresin or Teflon®, to prevent debris removed from a surface from adheringto the sweep bristles 162. In an exemplary embodiment, sweep bristles162 may be composed of a material that is strong, sufficiently flexibleto resist deformation, efficiently abrasive, rust resistant and fractureresistant.

As shown in FIG. 49, scraper assembly 100 of the present invention mayfurther include a liquid dispenser 150 within handle 4. The interior ofhandle 4 may include a reservoir 164, capable of retaining anddispensing a liquid. Upon applying pressure, via a hand pump, toreservoir 164 in handle 4, a liquid is forced though channel 166 andexits spout 168, which may be located on scraper head 2 or handle 4.Alternatively, the liquid may be pressurized such that reservoir 164 maybe connected to a pump or motor for automating release of the liquid.Release of the liquid may be activated by pressing a button on handle 4.The liquid may be water or any cleaning solution. In a preferredembodiment, the spout 168 may have a plurality of holes 170 of any size.The size of holes 170 may be adjustably selected, or holes 170 may havedifferent sizes and dimensions. When the scraper assembly 100 is used toclean a hot surface, holes 170 may be sized such that the dispensedliquid is atomized and vaporizes prior to or upon contacting the hotsurface. In an exemplary embodiment, holes 170 may be about 5 mm toabout 1.3 mm. Additionally, the release pressure may be about 0.1 toabout 10 psig to enable atomization. Therefore liquid dispenser 150 maybe used to produce a fine liquid mist and/or steam for cleaning asurface. In another embodiment, holes 170 may be sized so that asubstantial flow of liquid is released to facilitate cleaning. In apreferred embodiment, a user may be capable of viewing the liquid and/orsteam being dispensed through the open housing design of housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 49, scraper assembly 100 may further include a light152, such as an LED, to illuminate a surface during cleaning or and/or athermometer 154 for gauging the temperature of the surface beingcleaned. These devices may be mounted on either handle 4 or scraper head2.

Also shown in FIG. 49 is a power source 158, preferably a thermoelectrictransducer or other portable power source such as a battery, that may beused for powering light 152 or any other electrical devices incorporatedin scraper assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermoelectrictransducer may be located on a surface of the scraper assembly 100 so asto be exposed to a heat source, such as a hot surface to be cleaned. Thethermoelectric transducer may function to convert the rising heat toelectrical energy, which may in turn be used to power or store energyfor an electrical device mounted to scraper assembly 100.

The scraper assembly 100 of the present invention has a number ofadvantageous features that enable it to effectively and efficientlyclean any surface, including grated surfaces, in a minimal number ofpasses. Specifically, its highly flexible components, open architecture,plow, plurality of abrasive elements, and adjustability allow foreffective use in a wide variety of applications. The highly flexible andresilient nature of scraper blade 23, spring abrader 12, suspensionsystems or any combination thereof ensures that the surface beingcleaned incurs minimal or no damage, scoring, or marring. Additionally,the flexibility and resilience of these components minimizes scraperassembly 100 wear and prevents fracturing or deformation of springabraders 12.

Furthermore, an open housing prevents the accumulation of debris withinthe scraper assembly. By quickly guiding debris out of the scraperassembly, this open design facilitates debris removal and preventsclogging and premature degradation of spring abraders 12. Similarly, byenabling mass removal of debris removed by scraper edge 24, the plowalso prevents the accumulation of debris within the scraper assembly.

The scraper assembly 100 may further include abrasive elements, such asscraper blade 23 and spring abraders 12, having a plurality of abrasivesurfaces that enhance the cleaning efficiency of the scraper assembly.Furthermore, because the abrasive mechanisms and other elements of thescraper assembly 100 have numerous contact points, the applied force ismore evenly distributed to a surface being cleaned, thereby preventingor minimizing damage to a surface being cleaned.

Moreover the scraper assembly 100 and one or more of its variouscomponents may be adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of surfacesand applications. For example, the scraper assembly 100 may include anumber of interchangeable modular frame components 26 having differentspring abraders 12, scraper heads 2, handles 4 adapted for differentapplications. The angle of orientation, elevation, and flexibility ofspring abraders 12 may also be manually adjusted. Moreover, the scraperassembly 100 and its various components may be weatherproof, rustproof,dishwasher safe, easy to clean, ergonomically designed and easy to use.

The scraper assembly 100 of the present invention may be used for a widevariety of applications. In particularly, it may be specifically wellsuited for cleaning grated surfaces, particularly grated cookingsurfaces, such as grills and ovens. In an exemplary embodiment, springabraders 12 and the various other abrasive elements of the scraperassembly 100 may be capable of removing carbonized food residueentrained on a surface. Specifically, scraper assembly 100 may beeffective for cleaning grills fabricated from various materials, such ascast iron, stainless steel, porcelain-coated cast iron, porcelain-coatedsteel, porcelain coatings, and chrome plating. Notably, the scraperassembly 100 of the present invention may capable of effectivelyremoving debris without scoring, marring or otherwise damaging thesurface of the grill bars or other grill surfaces. Additionally, becausethe components of the scraper assembly 100 may be coated with anon-stick material, such as a non-toxic fluoropolymer resin or Teflon®,debris removed from a surface does not adhere to and interfere with thefunctional components of the scraper assembly.

Scraper assembly 100 of the present invention may be configured as anyscraper or brush for cleaning a surface. Exemplary brushes may includestandard line wheel brushes having an arbor hole, knot wheel brushes,permanent plate wheel brushes, brush sections that can be usedindividually or ganged to make a wide face, centerless brushes for useon centerless brushing and grinding machines to remove grinding burrsand surface finishing, small rivet ring wheel brushes adapted for usewith electric or air tools, cup brushes for use on electric or airtools, end brushes for use in portable tools and drill presses,twisted-in-wire brushes for hand held or power tool use, brush stripsfor use in customized brushes, cylinder brushes wound on a shaft core ortubing or conveyor cleaning brushes.

Although the scraper assembly 100 may be particularly well adapted forcleaning any grated surface, it may also be equally effective forcleaning, abrading, scraping, cutting a material from or removing amaterial from any surface. Scraper assembly 100 may further be used toshape, texture to or otherwise prepare a surface. The scraper assembly100 of the present invention may be used on any surface, including wood;ceramic, such as porcelain, china and clay; metal; a plated surface orany combination thereof. It is envisioned that the scraper assembly 100of the present invention may be used for conventional grinding, sanding,and/or polishing applications. In another embodiment, scraper assembly100 may be used to remove wallpaper remover. The scraper assembly 100may also be effective for various dental applications, such as cleaningtooth enamel.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described herein.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a wire cloth constructed from wire ropesthat are knitted or woven together, wherein the wire ropes comprise oneor more strands and wherein each strand comprises two or more wires. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wire cloth is formed by weavingthe wire ropes in a criss-cross pattern.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wire cloth is formed by knitting the wire ropes so as toform a plurality of interlocking loops.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the wire ropes comprises at least one strandcomprising at least seven wires.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the wire ropes comprises at least one strand comprising atleast nineteen wires.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the wire ropes comprises at least two strands.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein at least one of the two strands comprises at leastthree wires.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wire ropes furthercomprise abrasive elements.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein theabrasive elements are selected from the group consisting of: teeth,serrations, ridges, barbs, spikes, dimples, threads, hooks, rasps,graters and combinations thereof.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus comprises two or more layers of said wire cloth, whereinat least two layers of said wire cloth are attached to one another. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a handle and a scraper head,wherein the scraper head comprises and frame and wherein the wire clothis attached to the frame in order to abrade a surface.
 12. The apparatusof claim 10, further comprising an elastic member positioned adjacent tothe wire cloth, wherein the elastic member is capable of applyingpressure against the wire cloth enabling the wire cloth to resilientlyconform to the contours of the surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the elastic member is selected from the group consisting of:springs and elastomeric materials.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the elastic member is a silicone rubber material.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the wire cloth is mounted to a surface ofthe frame using an attachment means selected from the group consistingof: threaded means, sewing; crimping, welding, staples, pins, adhesivesand combinations thereof.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thewire cloth is welded to the frame or bonded to the frame with anadhesive, and wherein the frame is removably mounted to said scraperhead.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the scraper head furthercomprises a positioning frame coupled to the frame and a surface of thescraper head such that the positioning frame removably clamps the frameto the surface of the scraper head.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the frame comprises a central opening bridged by at least oneplate, wherein each plate is configured to form a cavity and wherein theelastic member is positioned within the cavity between the plate and thewire cloth.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plate has asemi-cylindrical configuration and the cavity formed by the plate is anelongated semi-cylindrical concave cavity for receiving the elasticmember.
 20. A scraper for use in abrading a surface, comprising: ahandle and a scraper head attached to said handle, wherein the scraperhead comprises: a frame and a wire cloth abrader mounted to the frame,wherein the wire cloth abrader comprises: a wire cloth body constructedfrom wire ropes that are knitted or woven together, wherein the wireropes comprise one or more strands and wherein each strand comprises twoor more wires and a backpressure means positioned adjacent to the wirecloth body, wherein the back pressure means is capable of applyingpressure against the wire cloth body enabling the wire cloth body toconform to the contours of the surface.